Boost for student wellbeing in South Australian schools

School students across South Australia will benefit from a boost to funding for mental health and wellbeing projects.

The support is being delivered after the Malinauskas Government signed on to the Albanese Government’s Student Wellbeing Boost program.

Delivering this election commitment will see all eligible schools in South Australia share in $14.2 million for projects designed to support students following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Individual schools will decide how best to use the Student Wellbeing Boost to support their students.

This could include engaging extra school mental health professionals; hosting school camps, excursions, sporting or other social activities that improve students’ wellbeing; or other student engagement and mental health initiatives.

The South Australian Government will develop a methodology for allocating funding to schools in their jurisdiction, in consultation with the Catholic education commission and the association of independent schools in their jurisdiction.

In addition to the Student Wellbeing Boost, all Education Ministers have agreed to support the Commonwealth’s five-year $307.18 million Federation Funding Agreement to deliver the National Student Wellbeing Program.

States and Territories are managing the National Student Wellbeing Program, which includes approving applications to engage Student Wellbeing Officers or Chaplains.

Comment attributable to Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP:

“COVID and lockdowns have had a massive impact on the mental health of students.

“That’s why we are making significant investments to support the wellbeing of students in South Australia and right across the country.

“Good mental health and wellbeing have a significant impact on young people’s engagement with education and their learning outcomes.

“Because if you're feeling better, then you'll perform better at school.”

Comment attributable to South Australian Minister for Education, the Hon Blair Boyer MP:

“As I’ve said since first becoming Education Minister a year ago, mental health and wellbeing needs to be at the forefront of any decision we make in schools.

“If a student has poor mental health, we can’t expect them to perform academically or engage in their school community in a positive way.

“This investment in mental health and wellbeing will see a workforce including psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and other learning support specialists in place to help young people tackle issues early.”