Hansard debates

Mr McGUIRE (Broadmeadows) (2316)

My adjournment request is to the Minister for Education. The action I seek is an update from the minister on when students in the Broadmeadows electorate will benefit from the Andrews Labor government’s plans to put mental health workers in every Victorian government secondary school.

The Victorian government is employing mental health professionals in government schools to give students the support they need.

The program will employ more than 190 qualified mental health professionals across the state, including psychologists, social workers and mental health nurses.

The mental health practitioners will offer counselling and early intervention services, as well as coordinating support for students with complex needs, linking to broader allied community and health services.

Every government secondary school will receive between one and five days a week of support from a mental health practitioner depending on its size, requirements and existing welfare programs. By 2022 every Victorian government secondary school campus will have appointed a mental health practitioner.

The Labor government will also partner with the Orygen National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health to promote student wellbeing within secondary schools.

This program builds on the Labor government’s $65.5 million investment in student health and wellbeing initiatives in all schools, including the Victorian anti-bullying and mental health initiative, the school-wide positive behaviour support program, as well as increased investment in allied health and nursing services.