Aldinga Payinthi College and Willunga High School are among those to receive specialist mental health and learning support workers under a state government program.  

The $50 million investment into mental health and learning support specialists has reached a significant milestone, with almost 60 the 100 mental health practitioner roles filled. 

Following a successful pilot in nine schools last year, it was announced that embedded mental health practitioners would be placed in up to 65 South Australian public secondary schools – with sites chosen by most need.

As of term three, schools in Adelaide’s south receiving the service include Aldinga Payinthi College, Seaview High School, Wirreanda Secondary School, Christies Beach High School, Seaford Secondary College, Hamilton secondary College, Willunga High School, Springbank Secondary College and the Australian Science and Mathematics School.

Along with the mental health practitioners, the learning support specialist roles include:

• Social and truancy workers.
• Aboriginal support and inclusion leads.
• Specialist behavioural educators.
• YERTA program for Aboriginal students – delivered by Kornar Winmil Yunti.
• A team of Autism Inclusion coordinators to support the professional development of Autism Inclusion Teachers.
• Occupational Therapists.

Recruitment is underway for a further 12-member Flexible Service Response Team – including psychologists, speech pathologists and a cultural community liaison coordinator to deploy to schools.

The mental health workforce includes psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.

It will be available to work one-on-one to support students and teachers, student support officers and principals to help develop programs that improve mental health and resilience of the whole school community.

Health Minister Blair Boyer says these roles are important to improve student results because students can’t be expected to achieve academically if they are struggling with their mental health.

“The Mental Health Practitioners are providing key early intervention mental health services for students.

“The appointment of 100 mental health and learning support specialists in South Australian public schools is an important step forward to support students, not only now, but well into the future – and I’m pleased we can offer this support throughout South Australia, including in the regions through this flexible model.”