With the start of a new school year looming, Kids Helpline has announced expansion of the Kids Helpline @ School program.


The helpline is operated by yourtown, and chief executive Tracy Adams said just as yourtown revolutionised support for children and young people three decades ago with the launch of Kids Helpline, the expansion of Kids Helpline @ School seeks to ensure all schools have access to early intervention resources.


“Thanks to a substantial funding boost from Bupa Foundation, every primary and high school across Australia now has access to the Kids Helpline @ School program,” Ms Adams said.


“Fostering self-help and building resilience, this free service has no limit to how many sessions a school can book, the curriculum-aligned sessions of Kids Helpline @ School are tailored and adjusted to meet the needs of the student age group and community. It strengthens the reach of Kids Helpline to support the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.


“Almost 70% of all young people who reach out to Kids Helpline are high school-aged, with their top concerns being mental health, emotional wellbeing, relationships with family and friends, bullying, and suicide and self-harm concerns.”


Ms Adams said the negative impact of poor mental health on educational outcomes and personal wellbeing was increasingly a major focus for schools.


“This is why this early intervention program is so important, it enables high schools to connect classrooms to a Kids Helpline counsellor free of charge by simply booking a session online,” she said.


“Young people also tell us they value the connection of their peers and the material covered in the Kids Helpline @ school sessions can be the catalyst for meaningful conversations between peers and with their teachers.”


Kids Helpline counsellors have created sessions for all high school year levels on topics, including coping with changes and transitions, cyberbullying and mental health, emotional intelligence and everyday resilience.


Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free and confidential, 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5-25.


Free call 1800 55 1800 or visit www.kidshelpline.com.au for more support or more information.