As far as I know it is still operating in NSW. I work for Wentworth Area
Health Service which is the lead agency. It is up to different stages across
the state, depending on whether the schools have adopted the program. There
are quite a few barriers like resources, commitment from schools to
implement the program and confidence in teaching these issues to students.
The head office for mindmatters in located in Adelaide I think, and there
are state co-ordinators across Australia. Despite the barriers it is a great
program as it follows the health promoting schools framework, which has been
evaluated as being successful.

Tania
----- Original Message -----
From: NVHCC / Youth Aflame Ministries <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 12:00 AM
Subject: Re: Mental health and HP


> I am interested in the Mind Matters project and what stage it is at.
> Someone mentioned that the School Board stopped or cancelled the
> program. Any comments ?
> Thanks,
>
> Peter
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Health Promotion on the Internet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Manjari Valluri
> Sent: September 17, 2001 2:12 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Mental health and HP
>
> Adolescent suicide prevention in Australia
> Male adolescent suicide rates in Australia are among  the highest in the
> world.
> The rate has increased dramatically from 1966 to 1998,resulting in loss
> of potential years of life lost(PYLL) which is signifiacnt because of
> the loss of human potential to the society.
> The most common causes for male adolescent suicides in Australia are
> 1.      Depression and other mental disorders
> 2.      Alcohol and drug abuse
> 3.      Domestic and peer violence
> The Australian government has recognized this new epidemic and had
> implemented new suicide prevention programs.
> The earliest one was the Here for Life Program,which was later followed
> by the Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy
> Mental health especially adolescent meantal disorders are the targets of
> such programs with help lines for the depressed.
> GPs are alos trained to act as gate keepers who have a vigil over
> suspicious attitudinal changes in an adolescent and take measures to
> target interventional therapy for them.
> Local police are also included in the program,who monitor neghbourhoods
> for youth violence and drug abuse.
> Since all these strategies are implemented before the onset of the
> disease(suicide and suicidal attempt),we can say that this is an
> effective Health promotion approach,although the approach is targeted
> mainly at adolescents.
> Community participation which is also an effective health promotion
> strategy has been effectively employed by the Government.
> As mental disorders are increasing in incidence and prevalence,health
> professionals should use health promotion strategies effectively,because
> mental ill health could be devastating not only to the individual but
> also to the community as a whole.
> Manjari Valluri
>
>
>   _____
>
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