BCH in Schools

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) is designed for adults who work, live, or care for adolescents. The course teaches secondary school staff to assist students aged 12-18 years who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening mental health problem, or are in a mental health crisis.

Intended outcomes

• Increased staff knowledge and recognition of mental health problems in students
• Increased staff mental health literacy
• Increased staff confidence in responding in a crisis
• Reduced stigma and increased support for young people with mental health problems
• Positive changes in attitudes toward students with mental health problems

Program details

Target audience • Secondary school staff – capacity building

Program provider

Ballarat Community Health

Delivery mode

• Face-to-face
• Combination face-to-face and online

Teen Mental Health First Aid (Teen MHFA) teaches secondary students how to provide mental health first aid to their friends. The course is available for 2 cohorts: years 7-9 and years 10-12. Teen MHFA focuses on building mental health literacy of a whole cohort, to reduce behaviours and attitudes that often prevent teens from getting the help and support they need.

Intended outcomes

• Increased mental health literacy
• Greater confidence to respond to a crisis
• Reduced stigma and increased support for young people with mental health
problems
• Positive changes in attitudes toward students with mental health problems
• Higher student willingness to seek help for a mental health problem
• Skills to deliver first aid to help peers at risk of suicide
Program details

Target audience

• Secondary School students – lower
• Secondary School students – upper
• Secondary school students – all

Program provider

Ballarat Community Health

Delivery mode

• Face-to-face
• Online

Referral and Eligibility

This program accepts referral for children aged 2-8.

Children with a stutter receive individual treatment, all other speech concerns receive individual assessment followed by group program.

The Health Promoting Schools program is a comprehensive framework that supports schools in creating healthier environments for learning, work, and play by focusing on seven key health areas and providing resources to promote physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

It incorporates a whole-school approach, including students, staff, families, and the wider community, with benchmarks to guide improvements and recognition from the Victorian Government when targets are met.

Referral and Eligibility

All schools (Primary, Secondary or P-12) in City of Ballarat.
Please register at the below website, one of our Health Promotion Officers will contact you to support you through the program.

Vic Kids Eat Well is a statewide movement aimed at improving food and drink options for children and young people in schools, sports clubs, and community organizations by promoting simple, healthy changes.

The program encourages healthier drinks, snacks, and meals while rewarding organizations for making progress with bronze, silver, and gold rewards for completing key actions.

Referral and Eligibility

All schools (Primary, Secondary or P-12) OSHC clubs in the City of Ballarat

Please register at the below website, one of our Health Promotion Officers will contact you to support you through the program. All kids deserve a healthy start.

The Health Promoting Schools program is a comprehensive framework that supports schools in creating healthier environments for learning, work, and play by focusing on seven key health areas and providing resources to promote physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

It incorporates a whole-school approach, including students, staff, families, and the wider community, with benchmarks to guide improvements and recognition from the Victorian Government when targets are met.

Referral and Eligibility

All schools (Primary, Secondary or P-12) in City of Ballarat.
Please register at the below website, one of our Health Promotion Officers will contact you to support you through the program.

A series of short performances, creative activities, and classroom discussions about gender stereotypes and how to promote gender equality and positive relationships.
The program also addresses bullying, calling out problematic behaviour, rumour spreading, peer influences and resilience. The content is aligned with the Department of Education and is age appropriate.

Referral and Eligibility

Schools engaged and actively working through Health promoting Schools framework (Wellbeing and/or Relationships). Please email your request, one of our Health Promotion Officers will contact you to support you.