AASW Social Work in Schools Series: Mental health support and interventions for school-aged children

Live Online Workshop

Day 1: 3 April 2024 | 10.30am–1.30pm AEDT

Day 2: 12 April 2024 | 10.30am–1.30pm AEST

Mental health challenges, including high rates of anxiety and depression, are prevalent among children and teens— around 1 in 5 will meet the criteria for a mental illness diagnosis, an eye-opening statistic that calls for collective action.

In the realm of social work, this topic is profoundly relevant as it presents an opportunity for professionals to play a crucial role in supporting students facing mental health issues within a school setting. This webinar explores the landscape of mental health challenges in schools, exploring the recognition of signs, discussing prevalence statistics, and providing insights into effective interventions, that will benefit and be a pivotal in social work practice as it will be equipping professionals with the knowledge to recognise and respond to signs of distress in students.

Participants will learn to recognise signs of poor mental health and common conditions corresponding to anxiety and depression. They will walk away with assessment tools and screening tools to use throughout practice and an overview of possible interventions to use and referral pathways for further support and treatment.

Who should attend?

Suitable for school social workers, it will provide foundational knowledge that is suitable for students or emerging social workers and can be a refresher for more experienced social workers.

Learning Outcomes

- Distinguishing changes in mental health of students & understanding the impact of poor mental health on students’ education.

- Improved knowledge of supporting and treatment pathways

- Expansion on interventions tool kits: including individual, group and classroom wide.

- Being able to Identify signs of mental health challenges in Children.

- Understanding ways schools can support students who suffer with mental health.

- Introduction to intervention strategies / measures and referral pathways

AASW Credentials: School; Mental Health

Presenter:

Marie Vakakis is a highly skilled Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Family Therapist, presenter, podcaster, and trainer, who is widely recognised for her expertise in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

As a specialist in promoting positive relationships between adults and young people, Marie designs and delivers tailored programs that help educators build emotional intelligence and connect with young people. Her inspiring talks and podcasts encourage audiences to embrace mental health as an essential part of overall wellbeing, while breaking down the stigma that often surrounds the topic.

Marie is passionate about empowering teachers and school communities to facilitate open and productive conversations around mental health and wellbeing, ultimately creating healthier, happier, and more resilient young people. With her friendly and relaxed approach, Marie empowers participants to build their knowledge and skills in this area, ultimately helping to create a healthier and happier school community.