Strengthening prevention for youth, children and families

Anxiety and depression often emerge during childhood and adolescence. Educators and parents/carers of young people are therefore well placed to contribute to the prevention of these conditions. School-based and family-based preventive strategies for anxiety and depression can also have a range of benefits beyond better mental health outcomes for children and adolescents, including reduced truancy, improved academic performance and healthier family relationships.

The Prevention Hub is focused on strengthening and translating the evidence for school-based and family-based strategies in the prevention of anxiety and depression in young people.

Building educator capacity to help prevent depression and/or anxiety in children

These projects will develop, deliver and research professional development approaches to build capacity in early childhood educators and primary school teachers to help prevent depression and/or anxiety in children.

Smooth Sailing e-mental health platform in schools

Smooth Sailing is specifically designed to address depression, anxiety, and suicide in a school setting using a sophisticated e-health platform that screens, offers tailored programs, and provides referrals to the school counsellor or health professional. This platform is already developed and has been trialled in four schools in the Clarence region of NSW.

Minds Together for carers of people with depression and/or anxiety

This project aims to support the mental health and wellbeing, as well as prevent the mental ill-health, of carers of adults experiencing depression and/or anxiety.