My nephew came home last week and told his mum he didn’t want to go to school anymore. Not because of bullies or bad grades—he just felt “wrong” and couldn’t explain it. That broke my heart, but it didn’t surprise me. Walk through any Australian school and you’ll see it: kids who look exhausted, stressed beyond belief, or just… empty. Depression and anxiety aren’t occasional anymore—they’re the new normal for heaps of young people.
This is why mental health programs in schools matter so much. Give a teenager one adult who genuinely listens without freaking out, and watch how much lighter their shoulders sit.
The Shame Factor
Nobody wants to be the kid who “can’t handle it.” I remember being 15 and thinking I’d rather die than admit I was struggling, because what would people say? That fear hasn’t gone anywhere. Kids still think admitting you’re anxious makes you weak or attention-seeking. The only way past that is talking about it constantly until it becomes boring and normal—like discussing a cold.
Before Things Fall Apart
There’s a teacher at my local high school who spotted a Year 10 student slowly withdrawing. Stopped joining group work, skipping lunch, that sort of thing. Because their school actually prioritises this stuff, she knew what to look for and got the counsellor involved early. That student’s doing alright now. Imagine if nobody had noticed until they’d completely fallen apart.
Skills That Actually Matter Later
I’m 32 and I still use the resilience strategies I accidentally learned from a good PE teacher who let us talk about pressure and expectations. Understanding your own brain, knowing how to calm down when everything’s overwhelming, being able to fail without spiraling—schools should teach this alongside algebra. Maybe even instead of algebra, honestly.
When School Doesn’t Feel Like Prison
Some schools just feel different when you walk in. Less tense. My friend works at one that runs student wellbeing activities every week—meditation sessions, peer support groups, even just structured time to decompress. The kids there seem more connected, less vicious to each other. That doesn’t happen by accident.
Teachers Are Drowning Too
My sister teaches Year 7 and she’s constantly worried she’ll say the wrong thing to a struggling student. She’s not a psychologist—she studied English literature and learned how to manage a classroom. But when her school runs regular mental health training, she feels less terrified about those conversations. Teachers need backup, not just more responsibility dumped on their plates.
Parents Don’t Always Get It
Schools can do brilliant work during the day, but if a kid goes home to parents who think therapy is for “crazy people” or that sadness means you’re ungrateful, we’re fighting a losing battle. When schools educate families too—through workshops, newsletters, whatever—everyone starts speaking the same language.
Time to Get Serious
Here’s the bottom line: schools that take mental health seriously see genuine improvements everywhere. Better attendance, stronger friendships, fewer kids in crisis. Prioritising mental health programs in schools isn’t some progressive nice-to-have—it’s basic duty of care. By treating mental health like the normal, important thing it is, we’re preparing young people for actual life. That matters infinitely more than any ATAR score.