Initiatives
Two initiatives have been developed to assist schools to support their students experiencing complex mental health presentations
Project Air Strategy for Schools aims to provide education staff with information and tools to work effectively with young people that are experiencing a personality disorder or are presenting with emerging symptoms by offering an evidence-based approach that promotes early intervention within the school environment.
A mental health professional learning initiative for secondary school staff
This initiative aims to assist school staff, to better recognise, understand and respond to students with complex mental health problems, including self-harm, suicide, trauma and emerging personality disorder.
The goal is to help teachers better understand the challenges their students are experiencing and where to refer for assistance.
Resources include a guide for school staff working with young people with complex mental health needs- designed ‘For any teacher, anywhere.’
Project Air Strategy Schools, Teachers & Students (pdf 831kb) - Working with young people with complex mental health issues. Understanding and responding to emerging personality disorder, trauma history, self-harm and suicidal behaviour and difficulties with identity, emotions and relationships (2016)
It is hoped that any person working in the education system engaging in regular communication with young people experiencing mental health difficulties will find this guide useful when they require extra support and information. This includes teachers, support teachers, year advisors, deputy principals, principals, school counsellors and psychologists.
This guideline was developed with the support of the New South Wales Department of Education and NSW Ministry of Health.
A number of factsheets and student plans have been developed to support students and schools.
An Adolescent Intervention: Guide for Clinicians working in school and health settings
This initiative has been designed to assist clinicians working with young people with complex mental health issues, including personality disorder, trauma history, self-harm, suicidal behaviour and difficulties with affect, identity and relationships.
The goal is to provide clinicians with a variety of recourses to draw upon in their work with young people.
A guide for clinicians on the Adolescent Intervention has been developed.
Access Adolescent Intervention guide here
Webinar
Supporting the guide for clinicians on the Adolescent Intervention there is also a webinar featuring school and community clinicians who have utilised the intervention in their work with adolescents.
Working with young people with complex mental health issues. Understanding and responding to emerging personality disorder, trauma history, self-harm and suicidal behaviour and difficulties with identity, emotions and relationships (2016)
Take a look at the webinar case study "Britney"
e-Learning
Alongside the Adolescent Intervention guide, an e-learning program consisting of - 3 modules, 4 hours of training is available.
Adolescent Intervention - Guide for Clinicians. An e-learning training program for adolescent mental health clinicians and school counselling service staff.