MHiPS

Article 3: 27/5/26

Staff recently had their first professional learning session about what the MHiPS program is and what it looks like here at Plenty Parklands PS. We talked about our current practices in supporting the wellbeing of our students, and our areas of improvement. While we believe that we are doing great things in supporting our students, we identified that our next steps for professional learning will include mental health literacy.

What is Mental Health Literacy?

While many of us know a lot about physical health disorders such as diabetes or broken bones, many of us lack the knowledge of mental health. While this area is still growing, there has been a lot of research and work done around mental health literacy in the public. Mental health literacy is not just the knowledge of what mental health is, but it’s the knowledge that comes with the ability to take action support, prevent or manage mental health needs. As research continues, experts are recommending that we work towards enhancing our mental health by learning about ways we best cope under stress and the strategies we need for help seeking when we are challenged. It puts a focus on proactive positive mental health rather than supporting mental ill-health.

Mental Health Literacy for Supporting Children

Mental Health Literacy for supporting children refers to adults' knowledge and beliefs about children's mental health. So, they can effectively support children, it is important for adults to understand the differences between emerging mental health concerns and the typical, difficulties that come with childhood. The way mental health challenges present themselves in childhood is very different to adulthood, so children often still need adults to help identify and initiate help seeking.

There are 3 key variables of Mental Health Literacy for Supporting Children and they include building knowledge of mental health challenges; recognition of mental health challenges in young people and attitudes toward mental health. At Plenty Parklands we are at the beginning stages of learning more about these three key areas so we can best support the mental health of students at our school.

We are working on broadening our skills in identifying mental health changes in our students, equipping staff with strategies to support the students in their class, recognise the risk factors associated with mental ill health and strengthening our partnerships with families in this area.

In the coming weeks, I will share more information about what Child Mental Health Literacy looks like and how we are developing this at PPPS.

Helpful Resources/Readings:

This video is a great snapshot into what child mental health looks like and the many factors that affect our children’s mental health!

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/what-is-child-mental-health/?audience=family