The aim of a two-day conference starting in Melbourne today is to shape the future of student mental health support.
EduMind ANZ Melbourne Conference 2024 (31 July-1 August) offers collaboration, fresh ideas and empowerment to transform mental health promotion in education – and with data showing that psychological distress amongst Australian school students has been on the rise in the past decade, and was made worse by the pandemic, it’s clear that there is lots of support needed to pave the way for stronger mental health and resilience in schools and educational communities.
As issues around social media interactions, drug and alcohol abuse, vape addiction and anxiety and stress caused by concerns around the impact of climate change add to fears and worries with many young people, finding ways to better support positive mental health in classrooms and school yards across the country can make a sustainable difference.
Organisers behind the EduMInd event – held at the Marriott Hotel Melbourne – say the conference aims to foster a collaborative environment where delegates can share insights, best practices, and collaborative approaches to enhance the mental well-being and resilience of our diverse school communities.
Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and case study presentations, participants will delve into the full spectrum of strengthening resilience and fostering positive mental health across all levels of schooling. From social-emotional learning to crisis intervention, mindfulness to positive psychology, Indigenous well-being to lived experience – with access to evidence-based strategies and innovations for nurturing mentally healthy school communities. Specialised sessions throughout the conference will also dig deeper into many of the issues school counsellors, school psychologists and educators face every day.
Interactive sessions and case studies
These sessions will cover the pivotal role of schools in suicide prevention initiatives, and the overall improvement in school counselling initiatives. Other events on the program include:
- Anti-bullying/Cyberbullying
With the digital age, bullying has evolved into online platforms, making it a 24/7 concern. This session explores how schools are integrating digital citizenship and cyber safety curriculums to combat the negative impact the online environment can create.
- Supporting anxiety and stress:
Talking about how schools are now integrating mindfulness practices and stress management techniques into their curricula to combat anxiety and stress is a vital conversation that encourages those at the coalface of the student mental health crisis in Australian schools to share ideas and support each other.
- Detecting early signs of depression
Exploring the growing awareness about early intervention in mental health, leading to
schools being more vigilant about the early signs of depression in students.
- Managing disruptive behavioural issues
Schools are moving towards more inclusive and understanding approaches for
students with disruptive behavior that is often rooted in underlying mental health issues.
Sharing ideas and support
These interactive sessions are designed to help educators and school-based mental health professionals investigate the transformative power of social-emotional learning (SEL), which is significant in fostering emotional intelligence and resilience, and understand how its integration can greatly enhance the holistic development of students.
With more than 200 education sector leaders and a program packed with insights and learnings from 25 global speakers that includes Vice Principal of Victoria’s Padua College, Sam Wright, as well as Program Engagement Advisor with the Allanah and Madeline Foundation, Mitch Groenewald, and Dr. Nitin Shukla, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist with ORYGEN – Youth Mental Health, the event looks at a range of methodologies schools are adopting, such as mindfulness practices and stress management techniques, which play a pivotal role in combatting anxiety and stress, ensuring a mentally resilient student body.
