New mental health services to be rolled out at schools across the region

SCHOOLS across the Northern Rivers will have access to a new suite of mental health workshops aimed at supporting students from Years 6 to 12.

Developed by Headspace teams in Tweed Heads, Ballina and Lismore, the 12 psychoeducational workshops are designed to align with the school curriculum while addressing the developmental needs of young people at different stages.

The workshops cover a range of topics including building healthy relationships, managing stress, recognising when others may need support, and understanding self-care.

The program draws on more than a decade of in-school experience, alongside research and service insights, to deliver evidence-based content that supports student wellbeing and builds mental health literacy.

Headspace senior manager Sim Balzer said the updated workshops were shaped by extensive feedback and evolving community needs.

“We’re really excited to have taken valuable feedback received over the past 10 years of delivering in-school workshops and combined that with information gathered in our services, research and our skills in facilitation and health promotion to produce an incredibly supportive range of fresh content for young people,” she said.

“There are 12 workshops in total, offering different content for every level, mapped to the developmental milestones and emerging needs for each age group.

“This newly structured format makes booking ahead simpler and allows schools to more easily forecast and plan integration of the workshops into their curriculum activities.”

The initiative comes as demand for youth mental health support continues to grow across the region.

Headspace is operated by community service organisation, Social Futures, and funded by Healthy North Coast.

The centres provide a space for young people aged 12 – 25, offering free and confidential one-on-one support for mental health, wellbeing, alcohol, and other drugs, and help with work and study.

To book or enquire about the school workshops, call 02 6625 0200 or email [email protected]