- Author:
- Department of Education
- Date:
- 5 Sept 2023
The purpose of the Enhancing Mental Health Support in Schools (EMHSS) initiative is to provide enhanced mental health services to young people in Victorian government secondary schools.
The Department of Education has partnered with headspace to deliver one-on-one student counselling sessions:
- targeted at government secondary school students in Victoria; and
- delivered through headspace centres located across Victoria, or via a dedicated regional telehealth counselling service for students in regional and rural areas who attend a school that is more than 50kms from their nearest headspace
Counselling sessions have been divided state-wide across participating headspace centres and the regional telehealth counselling service based on student enrolment numbers in the headspace catchment areas.
Other services supported through the EMHSS initiative include group work, and family inclusive practice.
Accessing student counselling services
Through the EMHSS initiative, secondary students at Victorian government schools have easier access to counselling services offered by headspace.
Prior to referral
For school-based referrals, the central school contact person must ensure
Who can decide who is a mature minor?
In accordance with Department information and policy on decision making by mature minors, assessing whether a student is sufficiently mature to give their own consent to be referred to counselling...
Consent to be referred
To give informed consent, a student must have sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable them to fully understand what the referral and counselling service involves, what it is for, and...
Confidentiality
Confidentiality refers to the ability of students to ensure information discussed with headspace is not shared with others unless it is with the consent of the student or it is otherwise required...
Information required to make a referral
The school contact person should try to have the following basic information. For students who self-refer, the school contact will still be required to confirm all information requested...
Making a referral
Counselling via a participating headspace centre.
Preparing for the appointment
For appointments taking place at school, schools are encouraged to establish a counselling area within the school environment to allow safe access to the telephone counselling services...
At the appointment
At a student’s first appointment at headspace (either by phone or face-to-face), the clinician will seek consent for participation in the counselling session by asking the student how they feel...
Following the referral
The school contact person should assist the student to engage with the process of further EMHSS appointments and actions as required.
Duty of care
Principals and teachers are held to a high standard of care in relation to students.
Other support available
The Department of Education has a range of resources, guidance and programs available to promote and support mental health in schools. Visit the Mental Health Toolkit for more information.
Updated