home  mindmatters plus home  what is mindmatters plus?  why mindmatters plus?  whole school approach  demonstration schools  role of partners  key learnings  evaluation  publications  what's new?  contact   Components:	Demonstration schools Schools were invited to participate in an action research project designed to determine the key factors in addressing the needs of students with high support needs in the area of mental health. ACT Melba High School, Canberra NSW Liverpool Girls' High School, Liverpool Narara Valley High School, Narara Valley Walcha Central School, Walcha NT Taminmin High School, NT QLD Coombabah State High School, Gold Coast St Mary's College, Dalby Trinity Bay State High School, Cairns, Qld SA Fremont-Elizabeth City High School, Elizabeth Open Access College, Adelaide Woodcroft College, Morphett Vale TAS St Michael's Collegiate School, Hobart VIC Berengarra School Lavalla Catholic College, Latrobe Valley Mill Park Secondary College, Mill Park Whitefriars College WA Girrawheen Senior High School Complementary, supportive education initiatives It is important to recognise that all schools support young peoples' social, emotional and physical health by providing safe and supportive teaching and learning environments. Some particula education initiatives make a substantial contribution to the promotion of mental health, and coordinate well with health promotion programs. These include: Specific curriculum initiatives Provide student centred and real life learning, increase student engagement in learning Pastoral care Monitor individual wellbeing through positive staff/student relationships Middle schooling Create smaller learning communities and increase opportunities for positive staff/student interactions and relationships Vocational education Enhance school to work transitions Referral procedures Ensure that students get the support that they need Specific school initiatives Address particular issues such as bullying and diversity Mentoring programmes Support peer relationships on an individual basis Drug education Facilitate a whole school approach to understanding and response Transition processes Provide a safe. structured introduction to a new school or from school Gender based classes Provide safe and supportive environments Structural flexibility Meet the specific learning needs of individuals and groups of students Life skills Explicitly teach social skills for living Co-curricular activities Provide addicitonal avenues for student participation and achievement Framework Support schools to be safe environments for students