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Mental Health Practitioner

Staff Profile 

The Mental Health Practitioner role 

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

Mental Health Practitioners in secondary schools may: 

• Provide individual therapeutic support to students in areas relating to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Some of the many concerns students may present with include excessive worry or anxiety, low mood, social or emotional difficulties, or grief and loss. Sessions are free, safe and confidential, and tailored to meet the student’s individual needs and abilities. Consent is required for the MHP to provide support to individual students, including for group work.
   
• 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 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 and supports to meet these. 
   
• Complete Mental Health assessments, referrals to relevant external supports or services and provide complex case coordination within the school context.

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.