By Parker McKenzie
Ferntree Gully North Primary School was the fifth largest user of the Kids Helpline @ School program in 2021, with 371 students across 16 sessions accessing the service.
CEO of yourtown, which runs Kids Helpline, Tracey Adams said the program helps students with practical methods of managing mental health and wellbeing.
“Children in Australia are bearing the brunt of a global environment characterised by change, crisis and uncertainty,” she said.
“It’s our responsibility to equip as many of them as possible with the tools they need to stay mentally healthy, resilient and to keep themselves safe.”
With the support of the Bupa Foundation, Kids Helpline @ School brings qualified counsellors into primary school classrooms and homes via video link to help normalise seeking help.
One of the most popular topics accessed by students at Ferntree Gully North Primary School was balancing tech time and online safety.
“The Kids Helpline @ School program has proved to be a fantastic way to connect with more children in addition to the delivery of Kids Helpline’s current suite of virtual counselling options.” Ms Adams said.
The program doubled its reach in 2021, reaching 55,000 primary school students across 325 schools in 2021.
Surveys conducted following the sessions showed an impact for both students and teachers. Around 90 per cent of students could better identify ways to seek help and 80 per cent would recommend Kids Helpline to a friend experiencing distress.
The program is aiming to expand its reach to another 55,000 students in 2022 through the use of telephone, WebChat and email counselling.
