A mental health service to help support young people in government high schools, will roll out in full this year, with seven Fleurieu and Onkaparinga schools among those to be assigned a mental health practitioner.

They are: Aldinga Payinthi College; Christies Beach High School; Mount Compass Area School; Seaford Secondary College; Victor Harbor High School; Willunga High School; and Yankalilla Area School.

The service, which will be available at up to 65 high schools, area schools and R-12 schools, will see mental health practitioners supporting young people with mild to moderate and emerging mental health concerns. 

It follows a trial at nine schools in 2022. 

Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer says research shows that mental health concerns are most likely to emerge in lower secondary years.

“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.

“The School Mental Health Service pilot program was a valuable first step with practitioners quickly become valued members of the school community. 

“The service will work collaboratively with students and families, education staff, other support service providers and external agencies to support young people to improve their psychological health and emotional wellbeing.”

Eligible high schools in the program were selected based on a range of criteria, including those with the highest levels of social disadvantage.

The service is designed to complement the range of existing mental health and wellbeing services already available in schools.

The school mental health practitioners will provide a brief intervention service and will work with other health providers to refer students who require treatment and support for complex and significant mental health issues. 

The Department for Education has begun recruiting qualified social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists to fill the positions