My Mind Check reaches 20,000 students in first school year

More than 20,000 students have accessed mental health support through the My Mind Check platform over its first year in operation across Australia.

The free, government-funded platform has reached more than 200 schools nationwide, aiming to provide early intervention for student wellbeing and bridge gaps in existing mental health support systems.

National reach

My Mind Check has been implemented by schools in every state and territory, and now counts over 2,300 educators among its registered users.

Over the past twelve months, a new school has joined the programme almost every school day. Interest in the platform continues to grow, with more than 2,200 schools and 1.3 million students having expressed interest in utilising the tools offered by My Mind Check.

Participation has been broad, encompassing government, Catholic, and independent institutions, with checks spanning primary, secondary, combined, and specialist schools.

Approximately 40% of participating schools are located in regional and remote areas, reflecting demand outside metropolitan centres.

Student check-ins

In its first year, My Mind Check facilitated over 29,000 mental health check-ins among students.

These regular check-ins are designed to help identify emerging issues before they escalate. According to the platform's data, around one third of students have participated in multiple check-ins.

Research carried out by Macquarie University underpinned the development of the platform. Findings from the university suggest that schools which proactively conducted mental health check-ins and follow-up interventions reported 20% fewer emotional difficulties and a 30% improvement in student attendance. My Mind Check draws from this research to provide educators with easy-to-use tools that aim to integrate smoothly into existing school systems.

Educator feedback

After a year in operation, feedback from schools has been largely positive.

Nearly 90% of staff using the service have said they would recommend it to other schools. The platform has been credited with fostering more open dialogue between students, families, and school staff.

"Our goal is to help schools take a proactive approach to student wellbeing so that no one falls through the cracks," said Dr Lauren McLellan, Director, My Mind Check.

Educators have reported increased confidence in addressing mental health concerns among students. The tools provided by My Mind Check are intended to help staff spot warning signs and initiate meaningful conversations with students and families. One teacher at a New South Wales high school reported the platform helped identify more than seven students who required additional support, connecting them with counselling resources.

"By giving students a voice in their mental health journey and equipping educators with practical tools and resources, we're helping to support educators to create positive school environments where every student feels seen, supported and can thrive," said McLellan.

Outlook ahead

The platform's first year suggests considerable demand for accessible student mental health support in Australia's education sector. My Mind Check has focused on providing early intervention, which, according to those involved, can help prevent more severe mental health issues from developing.

Dr McLellan noted that the next year would see efforts to further increase the availability of proactive mental health support to all students across Australia.

"This first year has shown the incredible impact that's possible when schools are given the tools to act early to prioritise wellbeing before issues escalate," said McLellan.