In a significant initiative coinciding with the commencement of the new school year, Kids Helpline announces the expansion of its Kids Helpline @ School program.
yourtown, the organisation behind Kids Helpline, which revolutionised support for children and young people three decades ago, is now extending its reach to ensure that all schools have access to crucial early intervention resources. Tracy Adams, CEO of yourtown, revealed that the Bupa Foundation has provided substantial funding, enabling every primary and high school across Australia to benefit from the Kids Helpline @ School program.
The free service, designed to foster self-help and build resilience, offers unlimited sessions for schools. The curriculum-aligned sessions of Kids Helpline @ School are tailored to meet the specific needs of student age groups and communities, thereby strengthening Kids Helpline’s support for the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
With almost 70 percent of young people reaching out to Kids Helpline being high school-aged, the program addresses key concerns such as mental health, emotional wellbeing, relationships with family and friends, bullying, and suicide and self-harm issues.
Recognising the negative impact of poor mental health on educational outcomes and personal wellbeing, the early intervention program provides high schools with the opportunity to connect classrooms to a Kids Helpline counselor free of charge through online session bookings.
Tracy Adams emphasised the significance of the Kids Helpline @ School program in facilitating meaningful conversations among peers and with teachers. She highlighted the value placed by young people on the connection with their peers and how the program’s content acts as a catalyst for meaningful discussions.
To further support schools, Kids Helpline counselors have developed sessions for all high school year levels covering various topics, including coping with changes and transitions, cyberbullying and mental health, emotional intelligence, and everyday resilience.
Teachers who have experienced the program firsthand have provided positive feedback, citing engagement, relevance, and practicality. The program’s interactive nature allows students to apply the knowledge gained in their everyday lives.
Teachers across Australia can now connect their classrooms to a Kids Helpline counselor at no cost by simply booking a session online through schools.kidshelpline.com.au.
This nationwide expansion aims to enhance the accessibility of vital mental health resources for schools and contribute to the overall wellbeing of Australian children and young people.
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