Video Script

United Nations Developmental Goal Project.

Sustainable Development Goal 3; Good Health and Wellbeing “Ensure healthy lives and promote
well-being for all ages” (United Nations, n.d.-a).

Target Goal 3.4 is of concern in Australia where breakthrough is needed for suicide rates. It is an
important cause of death for young people, particularly men (SDG TAP, n.d.a). This coincides with
the need for better management of high psychological stress, which peaks in young adulthood (SDG
REF).

Research of the local health profile: Youth aged 16 years and over reported very high psychological
stress, with the number of suicides being the second highest reported in metropolitan Sydney (NSW
Government, 2019, p. 2). In 2015 alone, suicide rates accounted for 10% of the state’s total suicide
deaths (NSW Government, 2019, p. 98)!

Living in South West Sydney my whole life, these alarming statistics encouraged me to examine the
mental health of students at Holsworthy High School. Coming from a family with hereditary mental
health issues and dealing with anxiety myself, this issue is close to my heart.

A google forms survey was completed by 54 Year 10 students. Sadly, only 34% indicated they do not
experience feelings of anxiety or depression, 77.4% stating exam and assessment periods to be the
most stressful and only 42.6% believe their mental health is well supported by the school. Students
are aware a school counsellor exists, but expressed the need for mental health workshops, support
groups, and time away from the stresses of the classroom.

An interview with the school’s Year 10 Co-Ordinator: Ashleigh Fenech.

“I suggest that raising awareness and developing ways of preventing issues from arising, is far better
than counsellor referrals and fortnightly well-being lessons, which are very reactive approaches” (A.
Fenech, personal communication, April 8, 2020).

The combined data reveals: The school’s current approach is not enough, with plenty of room for
improvement.

The solution: What is needed? A proactive approach focusing on prevention and awareness!

Alternate options considered: Mental Health First Aid Australia [MHFAA] and Headspace schools
were considered. Both programs look great, but Mental Health First Aid has associated, unadvertised
costs. I also feel that the approach needs to be from within the school, making it more personal. One
off programs do not seem appropriate as they may not provide support continuously throughout the
year.

My solution of Mindful Mental Health weekly sessions for students in Year 10-12 run all year. The
sessions focus on raising awareness, identifying risk factors and developing coping strategies for
stress, anxiety and depression. This involves meditation and breathing techniques, knowledge of
mental health issues, and support and self-management activities in a calm and safe environment.
Fortnightly catch ups with a teacher of student choice to monitor mental health and provide
individualised support could also enhance the solution.

What are the positives? Having a prevention and early intervention approach could address the need
for students to seek further outside of school help; especially for those that may not be comfortable
doing so. As suggested by Ashleigh, males are less likely to seek help when needed (A. Fenech,
personal communication, April 8, 2020).

And the negatives? This approach involves additional time for teachers to plan and implement .To
combat this, a rotating timetable for each teacher to take turns in running a session could work,
however time constrains and pressures from meeting curriculum demands could pose an issue.

As with any new solution, there is always room for improvement. I feel clearer guidelines for the
exact activities and mental health topic discussions are needed. This is something that could be
enhanced in the future and may depend on teacher and student feedback.

If the program is successful, students may report less feelings of stress and anxiety and determine
their mental health is more supported by the school. Teachers may even notice a positive change in
their students. In the bigger picture, rates of anxiety, depression and suicide in the local area could
be decreased, however HHS is only one small school in the big scheme of things. But every small step
can make a difference and that is what I hope to achieve from this proposed solution.