Enhancing Mental Health Support in Secondary Schools

Through the Enhancing Mental Health Support in Schools (EMHSS) initiative, Victorian government secondary school students are able to access primary mental health support through participating headspace centres.

There is a dedicated regional telehealth counselling service for students in regional and rural areas who attend a school that is located more than 80km from their nearest participating headspace centre.

The program is funded by the Victorian Department of Education. NWMPHN performs the lead coordination role.

Please see Enhancing mental health support in schools: information | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

EMHSS contributes to Victoria’s education system by supporting students with mental health concerns that, if left untreated, could impact on their learning and wellbeing outcomes.

The aim of the EMHSS service model is to:

• improve mental health outcomes for students of Victorian Government secondary schools
• provide an integrated, youth-friendly, clinically supervised and well-governed primary mental health and information service for students with mild to moderate mental health issues
• increase the availability of early intervention services and supports
• assist young people and school referrers through appropriate referral pathways to headspace services and other mental health, physical health, alcohol and drug, and social and vocational services and supports as appropriate
• maximise student continuity of care.

EMHSS provides services to all students in non-specialist Victorian government secondary schools, while tailoring strategies towards young people who face higher mental health risks, or greater barriers to engaging with services – for example Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, young people from regional areas, young people with a disability, young men, young people who are LGBTIQ+, and those from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Page updated 20 October 2024.