To support school communities to effectively identify and intervene early with the mental health needs of children and young people, the Victorian Government announced the Victorian Anti-Bullying and Mental Health Initiative (VABMHI) in early 2018.
The Enhancing Mental Health Support in Schools (EMHSS) program provides mental health services to all 327 government secondary schools across Victoria.
Why is this service needed?
The program offers support to school communities to effectively respond to their students’ mental health concerns and recognises that early identification and response will increase their chances of more positive educational, developmental and wellbeing outcomes.
The EMHSS program comprises of:
- Face-to-face counselling services
- A regional Telephone Service for students of rural and regional schools located too far away from a headspace centre (DET commissions this service component through eheadspace).
The program is targeted to provide Victorian school students with early access for mild to moderate mental health issues. headspace clinicians will provide counselling to students, within a safe space at their closest headspace centre or school.
Access to the EMHSS program is facilitated by targeted DET Secondary Schools to their local headspace centre.
Commissioning approach
The Department of Education has funded all Victorian PHNs to deliver face-to-face counselling support services through headspace centres from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2024.
South Eastern Melbourne PHN
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SEMPHN acknowledges the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies in which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge all First Nations peoples with whom we work. Sovereignty was never ceded!