Wellbeing

Why Mental Health Literacy Matters

Mental health literacy is the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise when a child or young person may be struggling, know how to respond and understand where to seek support. As rates of anxiety, depression and emotional distress continue to rise among children and adolescents, mental health literacy has become increasingly important across our communities.

Young people experience a wide range of emotions as they grow, and it can sometimes be difficult to know what is part of normal development and what may signal a mental health concern. Building mental health literacy helps parents, carers, educators and other trusted adults recognise changes in behaviour, mood or functioning, respond with confidence and encourage early support when needed.

With so much information available, it can also be challenging to know which advice is accurate and evidence-based. Developing mental health literacy helps people access reliable information, reduces stigma around mental health and promotes early help-seeking.

Supporting young people's mental health is a shared responsibility. When families, schools and communities work together, they create supportive environments where children and young people feel safe, understood and confident to seek help. Even small actions such as listening without judgement, checking in regularly and knowing where to access support can make a meaningful difference to a young person's wellbeing.

As part of this shared commitment, SchoolTV provides families, educators and the wider community with access to trusted, evidence-informed information on a broad range of parenting, wellbeing and mental health topics. By building mental health literacy and encouraging informed conversations, SchoolTV helps communities feel more confident in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people.

SPECIAL REPORT: Mental Health Literacy - A Guided Reflection

Ms Jodie Cusack

Wellbeing Leader