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CommunityMatters DVD

Background

To strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focus of MindMatters work was undertaken to:

• develop and maintain partnerships between MindMatters and Mental Health
• develop resources for MindMatters that reflect the principle of cultural inclusiveness
• maintain and develop the profile of MindMatters across Australian school communities
• maintain and develop the cultural inclusiveness of MindMatters professional development.

MindMatters developed a new DVD entitled CommunityMatters: Stories in Diversity. Designed as a professional development tool, the focus of the DVD is on demonstrating good school and classroom practice in terms of valuing diversity, working within a Health Promoting Schools Framework and showing how family and community involvement can contribute to student mental health and wellbeing.

The key messages focus on optimism and resilience, connectedness, trust and safety, empathy and respect and help-seeking.

There are four Australian schools featured in the DVD:

• Iwantja Indulkana Anangu School, SA
• Liverpool Girls' High School, NSW
• Sunshine College, Vic
• Woodville High School (Wiltja Program), SA.

The DVD was launched at the MindMatters National Conference in March 2005. It was named the Best Indigenous Resource by the Australian Teachers of Media Victoria (ATOM) in 2005.

Communities do Matter

The Communities do Matter professional development focus module provides an overview of the positive connections schools can make with their culture and community using the MindMatters community development process. This session also links to a range of sessions with key stakeholders in community development.