Beyond+Blue

Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au).

The core value of most health and educational systems is students’ wellbeing. Wellbeing at the student level is a multidimensional construct with dimensions such as social, emotional, cognitive, moral, spiritual and physical wellbeing DECS, 2005; Masters, 2004).


 * Some facts: **

-An equal number of girls and boys experience depression before adolescence and after puberty, girls are twice as likely to boys to develop depression (Paterson, 2011).

-It is common for girls to develop depression around the age of 13, some reasons known are stress, transition to puberty, appearance, social group changes and self worth (Shaddock, 2004).

-Under theDisabilityDiscrimination Act (1992) students with a disability, including thosewith a mental illness, have a right to participate in education.


 * About beyond blue:**

Beyond Blue is a website that provides information about depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and postnatal depression

**Why it is useful for teachers:** Teachers can use this website to gain information about mental illness and mental health awareness. The website provides information directly that teachers can use to help identify a student they think may have mental health issues and refer them to the school counselour, to promote a positive learning environment and strategies to use when dealing with students who have a mental illness/mental health issues.

**Age**: The website is useful for primary and secondary teachers/students. Here are some reasons why:

**For primary school teachers**:

The kidsmatter website which is apart of the beyondblue website is aimed at primary school teachers to provide information about:

Social and emotional learning for students, how to help students who are experiencing mental health issues, specific learning activities for students and other resources for teachers.

**For secondary teachers**:

Beyond Blue website provides information about a program called “Senseability”This program is a dvd along with curriculum materials and resources. Sensability helps students focus on essential skills, self-worth, control, belonging, purpose, future and humour.

**Reference List**:

DisabilityDiscriminationAct.(1992).Canberra:CommonwealthofAustralia.

DECS. (2005). Wellbeing is central to learning. Adelaide: Department of Education and Children's Services.

Masters, G. N. (2004). //Conceptualising and researching student wellbeing.// Paper presented at the Supporting Student Wellbeing. Conference proceedings of ACER Research Conference October 2004., Adelaide.

Paterson, J. (2011). Young and depressed. Counseling Today. 54,1,32-35.

Shaddock, A.(2004). Academics’ responses to the challenging behaviour of students with mental illness. JANZSSA.23,53-77.

Beyond Blue: www.beyondblue.org.au