A leading digital health media business is using social media content in a program designed to help boost mental health literacy and reduce mental health stigma in Australian schools – with positive results.
Matterworks and Australia’s leading child health research institute – Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) – has conducted a peer-reviewed evaluation that found the Decode mental health and wellbeing program improved mental health literacy by seven per cent and reduced stigma towards mental health by 19 per cent among Australian students and teachers.
Decode is a program designed to address the mental health challenges faced by young Australians. Decode is powered by evidence-based research from MCRI and engages students through social media-style content and lived experience influencers, ensuring that the material connects with young people in a relevant way. Early intervention is critical, with half of adult mental health issues emerging before the age of 14.
The MCRI evaluation revealed that 67 per cent of participants and 86 per of teachers reported positive engagement with the program. Decode provides young people with the tools to manage their mental health, respond to challenges, and seek help when necessary.
“With youth mental health reaching a crisis point in Australia, prevention and early intervention in schools is key to long-term change,” says Chief Health Officer at Matterworks and Group Lead of Health Services at MCRI, Professor Harriet Hiscock.
“The Decode program proves that we can meet young people where they are – in schools and on digital platforms – to deliver practical, impactful solutions.”
Tackling mental health challenges early
Matterworks Research Director and Principal Investigator of the study, Dr. Simone Darling, says that, “by engaging students in ways that make sense to them, we are seeing real improvements in literacy and help-seeking behaviours, both essential for tackling mental health challenges early on”.
“This shift is critical as it enables a more open, stigma-free conversation among young people.”
The evaluation findings come as the Australian government considers tighter restrictions on social media use for those under 16. Decode offers a different approach, using social platforms to deliver evidence-based mental health information that resonates with young people.
“We’ve seen that the way young people consume content today has shifted dramatically. Social media is where young people spend much of their time and Decode was designed to meet them there,” says Kylie Robertson, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Matterworks.
“By using a combination of digital content and influencers with lived experiences, we’ve created a program that feels relevant and engaging to students. The results speak for themselves – students are not only absorbing the information but applying it to their own mental health and wellbeing.”
The findings also showed that Decode empowered teachers to talk about mental health in the classroom setting – a topic they often had no training in prior to the Decode program.
Additionally, students were reported to be more open and positive about their own mental health, moving away from the stigma traditionally tied to terms like ‘mental illness.’
“Our mission at Education Perfect is to support the Australian education community, so we’re proud to see Decode having an impact on teachers and students alike,” says Jonathan Morgan, CEO of Education Perfect about how he sees the program’s impact in schools.
“By providing evidence-based mental health education and tools, we can transform how schools learn and
engage with these topics. The positive reception from schools and the tangible improvements in student outcomes shows that Decode is already making a meaningful difference in providing mental health support and education for students.”
Social media scrutiny
With social media under increasing scrutiny worldwide, governments are reconsidering how these platforms impact young people’s mental health. Many are debating stricter controls to protect younger users, while exploring how social media can be better leveraged for positive outcomes.
Sarah Wyse, Co-founder and CEO of Matterworks, says there is a broader opportunity for public health messaging:
“Social media isn’t going anywhere, and it’s far from black and white. The real opportunity lies in leveraging what works on these platforms to connect young people with evidence-based content. We believe there need to be tighter controls and it’s time for governments to step up and shape policies that protect young users.
“But beyond regulation, we need to think bigger about how to deliver the right information to those who need it most. Public health messaging hasn’t fully adapted to today’s media landscape and traditional channels aren’t always the most effective way to reach young people. That’s why Matterworks exists – to bridge that gap by bringing engaging, research-driven content directly to where young people already are.”
Wyse and Robertson told EducationDaily that reducing mental health stigma is crucial “as stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help and discussing their mental health”.
“In schools, reducing stigma creates a more inclusive and supportive environment, enabling students to discuss their challenges openly and seek timely assistance, which is essential for early intervention and better long-term outcomes,” Wyse says.
Reducing stigma leads to greater recognition of mental health challenges – and how to deal with them
When young people experience a reduction in the stigma around mental health, she says “young people are more likely to recognise mental health challenges in themselves and others”.
“This fosters a culture of empathy and inclusion, decreases feelings of isolation, and encourages help-seeking behaviours.
“Research shows that reducing stigma enhances peer support, improves overall mental health literacy, and equips young people with tools to manage their emotions and relationships effectively.”
Help-seeking behaviours involve recognising the need for mental health support and accessing appropriate resources or professionals, says Robertson.
“Increased mental health literacy educates students about common mental health challenges, strategies for self-care, and where to seek help. Programs like Decode empower students with this knowledge, reducing barriers to help-seeking by providing practical, relatable guidance – delivered in a way that resonates with young people.”
With talk of social media bans for young people to protect mental health, Robertson is adamant there needs to be a more sustainable solution.
“Social media is deeply ingrained in young people’s lives, shaping how they connect and communicate. At Matterworks, we are specifically focussed on understanding why these platforms resonate – and adapting these insights to create educational experiences that engage young minds in trusted environments like schools.”
