Supporting student wellbeing in schools has become an urgent priority as the youth mental health crisis continues to grow and rates of mental ill-health among children and adolescents continue to worsen.

Currently, varying investment and prioritisation of student wellbeing programs across Australia has led to a fragmented approach, where many students either miss out on support or receive wellbeing interventions that fail to meet their needs.

This policy brief explores the current literature supporting a ‘whole-of-school’ approach to wellbeing and presents policy recommendations aimed at driving meaningful, systemic change, recognising schools as key environments where mental health and wellbeing can be actively promoted and supported. Grounded in contemporary evidence and shaped by the lived experience of young people, the recommendations are designed to deliver better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people.

Key recommendations

• Establish, or build upon an existing, youth advisory panel that is representative of the diversity in the Australian student population to provide input on the development and implementation of future whole-of-school wellbeing programs and associated frameworks.
• Develop a national framework with guiding principles around the delivery of evidence-based, whole-of-school wellbeing programs in Australian schools. 
• Fund the delivery of whole-of-school wellbeing programs through a dedicated National School Wellbeing Fund.