Catholic education aims to support children and young people across all areas of life by providing a safe and nurturing environment enabling students to flourish socially, emotionally, academically, physically and spiritually.

Our values and beliefs are founded on the tenets of Catholic faith which at its core, holds a deep respect for the dignity of the human person. This commitment means that caring for students permeates every facet of school life, from policies, procedures and school culture down to daily interactions between staff and students. Authentic, caring, positive relationships are central to helping students feel included, valued, respected and heard. These are key components of our pastoral care practices and research has shown that when the psychological and social needs of students are met, this fosters a culture of well-being and increased engagement in learning and academic achievement. Research has also shown that a belief in God can be a protective factor against poor mental health and support good mental health.

How is mental health taught in catholic schools?

Our Townsville Diocesan schools employ a multi-tiered system of support to ensure a holistic approach to supporting the mental health of students. The first tier is proactive and aimed at reaching all students. In this tier, teachers use inclusive and culturally sustaining pedagogies and promote restorative practices that encourage critical thinking and reflection. It also includes the explicit teaching of social and emotional skills. A variety of evidence-based programs are employed in different schools to suit the specific contexts and needs of students. Such programs include Circle Solutions, Zones of Regulation, 1, 2, 3 Magic Emotion Coaching as well as initiatives such as the First Nations Mental Health and Well-being Roadshow that is specifically designed to support and empower First Nations students. These evidence-based initiatives help students to understand their own mental health and well-being and employ appropriate strategies to support them. Many of our schools also teach and practice meditation and mindfulness skills which have also proven to be of benefit to good mental health.

Mental health services available to students

If students require further support for their mental health, then tier two and three strategies may be employed. Each tier increases the intensity of support with tier two targeting small groups of students short-term, while tier three offers a more intensive and individualised support for students with ongoing or complex mental health needs. In these tiers, students may have access to Guidance Counsellors and Chaplains who provide support in a small group or individualised setting. Small group interventions may focus on supporting specific student needs such as anxiety, social skills or emotional regulation while other programs such as Seasons for Growth support small groups of students who may be experiencing grief or loss.  Guidance Counsellors and pastoral care staff may also liaise with external health providers and specialists to ensure our students receive ongoing support and expert care.

Mental health training for teachers

Teachers in Townsville Diocesan schools have access to a variety of professional learning opportunities related to mental health training. As a system, student well-being trends are analysed so training programs change over time to ensure that teachers are equipped to support the mental health of all students in our system. Any training provided must meet certain requirements including having current research and data to support its effectiveness, be strength-based, trauma-informed and culturally responsive. Currently all teachers have access to programs such as Culturally Responsive Pedagogies, Love Bites, Team Teach and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Townsville Catholic Education also works with external agencies such as Statewide Ed-LinQ, BeYou and QCEC which offer a variety of online and face-to-face professional learning programs in mental health for teachers.

Relationship between faith, community and mental well-being

Grounded in the teachings of Christ, Catholic schools are inclusive, supportive communities, which by their very nature, are well placed to support the mental health and well-being of our students.  For our Townsville Diocesan schools, faith, community and mental well-being are inextricably linked and nurture a genuine sense of belonging where students are seen, valued and heard. A caring culture, inclusive practices and authentic relationships between staff and students support good mental health and assist students to feel safe, supported and connected. This holistic approach enables our students to flourish socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually and academically. If you would like to know more about Townsville Catholic Education, then please follow us on the usual social media platforms.