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Evaluation Key Findings

  • Both the education sector and schools embraced the Mind Matters initiative, with 87% of all Australian secondary schools participating in the professional development activities.
  • Of 15 case study schools that commenced using MindMatters in 2001 or 2002, 13 were continuing to implement the initiative after three years.
  • Based on information provided by surveyed participants, it is estimated that 35% of schools that attended professional development workshops and decided to use the MindMatters resources utilised a whole school approach to implementing the initiative.
  • The initiative raised awareness of mental health issues and encouraged schools to develop policies, structures, procedures and curriculum around supporting the mental health of students and staff.
  • There was some early evidence of a reduction in the rates of truancy and an increase in retention rates and in the number of students seeking help from teachers. Additionally, there was evidence to suggest that teacher responses to bullying had improved.
  • There was some evidence that students who participated in the skills-building activities felt more confident about their ability to deal with mental health issues and were more comfortable talking about them.
  • Teachers reported that the initiative gave them the confidence and skills to better support and understand the needs of students, and to identify those children who may need additional support.
  • Teacher and student reports indicated an increase in student help-seeking behaviour as well as an improvement in their knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes when it came to mental health problems.