Mental Health & Wellbeing 

                                     Mental Health Practitioner Inititaive 

The Mental Health Practitioner initiative (MHPi) enables Secondary Schools in Victoria to employ a qualified Mental Health Professional.

Hello, 

I'm Caitlin! I am the Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) at Hamlyn Views School.  I have been employed at HVS since 2023, before taken maternity leave and returning in Term 2 2025 one day a week.  This year I am working two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has been wonderful getting to know and work with students and staff again, further developing the role, and embedding it within the school.  

What is a Mental Health Practitioner and what do they do? 

The MHP at Hamlyn Views School, is a member of the Student Wellbeing Team. The MHP works with students, school staff, families and care teams to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for secondary school students. Positive mental health and wellbeing is important for students’ and can improve engagement in learning, feelings of safety and happiness, and good health.

The Mental Health Practitioner may:

• Provide individual therapeutic support to students in areas relating to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Some examples of the area’s students access support for include, excessive worry or anxiety, low mood, social or emotional difficulties, and grief and loss. Sessions are free, safe and confidential, and tailored to meet the student’s individual needs and abilities. 

• Support school to develop and implement programs or policies to promote positive mental health and wellbeing and help to prevent mental health concerns. 

• Support staff understanding of mental health for students and associated conditions and how to best support young people in areas of mental health and wellbeing. 

• Work with parents and carers to understand a young person’s needs and develop strategies to supports them. 

• Provide complex case coordination within the school context. Complete Mental Health assessments, referrals to relevant external supports and services.  

Consent is required for the MHP to engage with individual students for therapeutic group work, observations and case work. 

To find out more about the MHPi or to discuss your child accessing support from a MHP, please speak to your child’s teacher, a member of the student wellbeing team or leadership team.

FoodBank Victoria 

Reminder to all that Hamlyn Views is partnered with FoodBank Victoria, and receive regular food package donations available to all families!

If you would like to receive food packages throughout the year, please contact ruby.moloney2@education.vic.gov.au. 

These packages contain cereals, milk, bread and other non-perishable items.

If you or anyone you know would like assistance to access food in the community, please reach out and we can support this.