ACEL 2022 Victoria’s President's Research Seminar, Mental health of children and young people: What do schools and school leaders need to know and do? 

The mental health of children and young people is a prominent topic in the media. It is something that educators are battling every day. The pandemic has exacerbated youth mental health disorders and has been labelled a ‘hidden pandemic’ with record levels of mental health issues being recorded for children and youth (Brennan et al., 2021). Anxiety is twice as common amongst young women, with it rising to even higher levels for transgender and gender diverse young people (Wilkin et al., 2021). Financial insecurity, lack of social connectedness and a rise in family violence throughout the pandemic have make things worse (Austin Health, n.d.;Wilkins et al., 2021). 

Yet there is also good news. Government awareness and investment in youth mental health services is increasing significantly. Both side of politics have pledged to make further investments. Schools and education systems can also play a crucial role in supporting children and young people at risk – providing much needed social supports and a sense of stability and social connectedness (Rizmal, 2022). But they need resourcing and upskilling to fulfill this critical role. 

Please join our expert panel : 

Professor Donna Cross - Dr Donna Cross is a behavioural scientist and Professor at the University of Western Australia, the Program Head of Health Promotion and Education at the Telethon Kids Institute – researcher in the fields of child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing.

Associate Professor Helen Stokes - Associate Professor Helen Stokes is a Associate Professor of Education, University of Melbourne, researcher in trauma informed education with a particular interest in leading in trauma affected schools. 
 
Dr Govind Krishnamoorthy - Dr Govind Krishnamoorthy is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in the School of Psychology and Wellbeing at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. Dr. Krishnamoorthy's research and clinical practice and research focuses on improving mental health and educational outcomes for children and adolescents from marginalised backgrounds.

Dr Emily Berger  - Dr Emily Berger is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. She has over 14 years' experience researching in the fields of child mental health, school wellbeing initiatives and childhood trauma.