24 Oct 2019
According to a new study by Mission Australia and the Black Dog Institute, a quarter of Canberra teens are struggling with their mental health.
While we know this isn’t an issue isolated to Canberra, or indeed Australia, it is an issue that we must address as a community.
“School is a big part of life as a young person, not only as a place for learning, but as somewhere they form relationships, explore identities and develop a sense of self. Adolescence is such an intense time of personal growth and it is important that as a community we have supports in place for students to navigate this complex time,” ACT Education Directorate spokesperson, Ross Hawkins said.
“That is why, in the 2017/18 Budget, the ACT Government committed to employ an additional 20 school psychologists, fifteen of those have been appointed and the remaining 5 will be on board for Term 1, 2020.
“Young people thrive in environments where they feel safe and supported. However, we know many children and young people experience social, emotional, behavioural and mental health issues. These issues impact on their learning, relationships and personal development.
“School psychologists play an important role in supporting the diverse needs of students, helping them to engage in learning and develop the skills to lead fulfilling lives.
“Our school psychologists work with families and school staff as well as other allied health professionals including speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers to provide a thorough support network for students.
“As well as providing counselling services for students, our school psychologists undertake psychological and educational assessments, help develop individual learning plans, assist in the design and implementation of prevention programs and help to manage critical incidents,” Mr Hawkins said.
For more information on school psychologists see the Support Services in Schools webpage