The mental health of Australian students is at a crossroads. University students report higher rates of psychological distress than the general population. Secondary school students are experiencing rising rates of anxiety and depression. COVID-19 deepened these trends — and they have not rebounded. Grant funding supports school-based mental health programmes, university wellbeing services, early intervention for young people, and the headspace centres that are Australia's primary early intervention service.
University students
Secondary school students
Why student mental health is a priority
headspace
headspace centres are Australia's dedicated youth mental health early intervention service:
- 160+ centres nationally
- Medicare-funded, low/no-cost mental health services for 12-25 year olds
- headspace Online, eheadspace (digital)
- Primarily Commonwealth-funded
Department of Health (Better Access)
Medicare-funded psychology sessions (up to 20 per year for those with diagnosed conditions).
Student Services and Amenity Fee (SSAF)
University-collected fee — some portion allocated to student mental health and counselling.
National Mental Health Commission
Frameworks and some funding for youth mental health.
State education departments
Orygen
Australia's leading youth mental health research and clinical centre:
- Research grants (youth mental health)
- Clinical innovation
- Policy advocacy
- Training for clinicians
Black Dog Institute
ReachOut
Digital mental health for young people — significant philanthropic component.
Smiling Mind
Mindfulness app and school programme — evidence-based.
mindfullAUS
Youth mental health education.
Student Minds (UK model, emerging in Australia)
Student-led mental health advocacy in universities.
Suicide Prevention Australia
Youth suicide prevention — grants and advocacy.
Headspace Foundation
The commercial headspace brand funds mental health programmes (distinct from the government headspace service).
School-based mental health
Peer support in schools
Headspace services
University counselling and wellbeing
International student mental health
International students are a particularly vulnerable group:
- Culturally adapted mental health support
- International student peer support
- Integration events and community
- Language support for mental health
Prevention and early intervention
Digital and online mental health
Exam and assessment stress
School refusal
A growing issue:
- Early identification
- Home-school partnership programmes
- Anxiety treatment for school refusal
- Re-engagement programmes
LGBTQ+ students
LGBTQ+ students experience significantly higher mental health burden:
- Safe schools programmes (increasingly challenged politically)
- LGBTQ+ student groups and peer support
- Affirming school environments
- Access to gender-affirming support
Positive Education — applying positive psychology to school settings — is growing in Australian schools:
- Character strengths
- Gratitude and mindfulness
- Resilience and growth mindset
- Social connection
- The evidence for whole-school Positive Education is growing
Applications implementing evidence-based Positive Education programmes are well-aligned with school wellbeing funders.
Early intervention ROI
The return on investment of mental health early intervention in schools and universities is exceptional — preventing a young person from developing a chronic mental health condition saves enormous costs (personal, social, and economic) over a lifetime.
Rising rates
Youth mental health has worsened — COVID trends have not reversed. Applications that address the scale of the problem with evidence-based approaches are compelling.
International students
International students contribute significantly to university revenue — and their mental health is a responsibility and an equity issue. Applications targeting this population are underserved.
Digital scale
Digital mental health tools (apps, online counselling) can reach students at scale — particularly those who won't seek help in person. Well-designed digital solutions with evidence of efficacy are well-positioned.
Tahua's grants management platform supports youth mental health funders and student wellbeing organisations — with programme participant tracking, mental health outcome measurement, student reach data, and the reporting tools that help student mental health funders demonstrate their investment in the wellbeing of Australia's next generation.