Overview

Alignment with Be You Domains

Mentally Healthy Communities
Family Partnerships
Learning Resilience
Early Support
Responding Together

Alignment with Australian Curriculum

Health and PE
Humanities and Social Sciences

Target audience

Secondary school

Target groups

Small group
Whole class

Aims

The Mental Health Education Program (MHEP) aims to support early intervention in youth mental health by building knowledge, confidence, and help-seeking skills within school communities. The program focuses on increasing mental health literacy among Year 6 primary students as well as secondary school students, helping them to better understand mental health, recognise changes in their own or others’ wellbeing, and respond in safe and supportive ways. A key aim of MHEP is to reduce stigma and normalise conversations about mental health. Through interactive, age-appropriate workshops, students are supported to develop practical strategies for managing stress, navigating challenges such as bullying or social pressures, and maintaining emotional wellbeing. The program also aims to strengthen young people’s capacity to seek help when needed. Students are provided with clear information about available supports and encouraged to access trusted adults, school supports, and external services, including headspace centres. In addition to student learning, MHEP contributes to a whole-school approach by supporting schools to build confidence in responding to student mental health needs and fostering a more supportive and informed school environment. Overall, the program aims to equip young people and school communities with the understanding and skills needed to promote mental health, respond early to emerging concerns, and support pathways to care.

Program theory

The program is informed by evidence-based theories and frameworks in youth mental health promotion and early intervention. Central to the program is a mental health literacy framework, which aims to increase understanding of mental health, reduce stigma, and support young people to recognise when they or others may need help and how to access appropriate support. The program is also guided by early intervention and prevention approaches, recognising the importance of building awareness and skills before mental health difficulties escalate. A strengths-based and resilience-focused framework underpins the content, supporting young people to develop coping strategies, emotional awareness, and confidence in help-seeking. MHEP aligns with a whole-school approach to mental health, reflecting the role of school environments in promoting wellbeing, strengthening protective factors, and enabling access to care. Elements of social and emotional learning (SEL) are embedded throughout, including skills related to emotional regulation, communication, and peer support. In addition, the program is informed by trauma-aware and developmentally appropriate practice, ensuring that content is safe, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs and experiences of young people.

Topics

MHEP covers a range of topics designed to support mental health literacy, early intervention, and help-seeking among young people. Core topics include understanding mental health and wellbeing, recognising changes in emotions and behaviour, and building awareness of common mental health challenges such as stress and anxiety. Workshops also explore self-care and coping strategies, helping students develop practical skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and maintain wellbeing. Topics such as bullying, peer relationships, and social pressures are addressed, with a focus on communication, support, and navigating challenges in a safe and respectful way. A key component of the program is help-seeking, including how to access support, who to talk to, and how to support a friend who may be struggling. The program also aims to reduce stigma and encourage open, supportive conversations about mental health. Content is tailored to the needs of each school and cohort, ensuring it is developmentally appropriate and responsive to the specific context of students and school communities.

Cost

Available at no cost.

Program structure

The program is structured as a series of interactive, curriculum-aligned workshops delivered to predominantly secondary school students. Sessions are typically delivered to whole classes and can be tailored to the needs and priorities of each school and cohort. Workshops are facilitated by trained consultants and combine psychoeducation, case discussions and practical skill-building activities. Content is designed to be age-appropriate, engaging, and responsive, with opportunities for students to reflect, ask questions, and apply learning to real-life contexts. The program can be delivered as one-off sessions or as part of a broader engagement with schools. The program includes sessions for parents or carers to support a whole-school approach to mental health.

Instructor

External instructor

Instructor training

Not applicable

Supporting resources or materials available with program

Other (please specify)

Other materials

Educator resources

Ongoing support

The program is delivered by trained facilitators, rather than classroom teachers. As such, the program does not provide instructor training for educators. To support ongoing learning, workshops include educator resources that enable teachers to continue conversations and reinforce key concepts in the classroom. These resources are designed to align with workshop content and support further discussion, reflection, and skill development. In addition, facilitators provide a structured, safe learning environment and can support schools to connect with appropriate mental health resources and referral pathways where needed. This contributes to a broader, sustained approach to student wellbeing within the school community.

Parent involvement

Attend information sessions
Follow-up information provided after program
Written information provided to parents
Parent handbook
Online resources

Origin of program

Australia

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

Program authors

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

: Level 38/360 Elizabeth Street,Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia

: +610390270100

: mhep@headspace.org.au

: Visit website

Ratings

2/4 Evidence

3/4 Implementation

Summary of evidence factors

This is a summary of the evaluation or research study characteristics that contribute to the program’s evidence rating.

Positive impact on at least one outcome for children and/or young people?	Yes
Link between program description and theory of change	Comprehensive
Study design	Pre-post cohort
Independence	Semi

Summary of implementation factors

This is a summary of the program’s characteristics that contribute to its implementation rating.

Feedback sought from participants	Yes
Feedback sought from instructors	No
Groups program is not suitable for	Not assessed
Training provided during study	Face to face, all instructors, in person
Ongoing instructor support provided during study	Yes

Context

This is a summary of the context in which the evidence for the program was established.

Study Participants	Primary school Secondary school
Country of Study/s	Australia
Location of Study/s in Australia	ACT NT SA VIC NSW QLD TAS WA
Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations	No
Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people	No
Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups	Yes
Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery	No
Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference	Yes

Last updated: 7 July 2026