Psychologists, GPs set to work in Queensland schools

Doctors and psychologists are set to work in Queensland schools as private mental health services struggle to cope with demand from young people.

Doctors and psychologists will be rolled out across select Queensland schools as demand for mental health services for kids continues to skyrocket.

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said waiting lists for some private clinics had ballooned to 18 months, highlighting the need for more on the ground support.

Mr Frkovic said the ongoing fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to be one key factor, with children experiencing “social isolation”.

“They’re also experiencing a loss of some of those normal transitional phases and milestone events in their life – graduations, schoolies, birthday parties, all of those things,” he said.

“There’s also breakdowns of their social connections, they may be unsure whether they will now go to university, wondering if they can get a job.

“All those things are impacting on young people much more than the illness itself.”

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said Covid-19 had had an impact on students’ mental health. Picture: AAPimage/David Clark

In the most recent state budget a $100 million, three-year package was unveiled, part of which was set to provide every Queensland school with access to a wellbeing professional.

A pilot program will also see 20 GPs rolled out to select Queensland high schools.

Mr Frkovic said it was a “very positive approach”, and there could be no economic recovery from the pandemic without a human and social recovery.

“In that school environment you can start to identify children early who are showing signs of stress and distress,” he said.

“If you can pick things up early and get local support, in the school, then you can avert some of those long-term problems which may occur as a result of not responding to these issues.

“Putting specialists in schools – psychologists, social workers – to work with teachers, work with young people, and importantly work with parents, is crucial to early intervention.”

Independent and Catholic schools are also increasingly introducing mental health and wellbeing programs, in a bid to protect the psychological health of their students.

Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Lee-Anne Perry said all schools had programs in place, with many also working with organisations such as Headspace, Beyond Blue and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to provide extra support.

“Student wellbeing is the most important issue for schools in all sectors of our education system,” Dr Perry said.

“Catholic schools work proactively in partnership with parents to provide information and to support student and family wellbeing.

“Schools regularly run information sessions and invite expert guest speakers to share their knowledge of mental health and wellbeing issues with the school community.

“A critical factor is keeping the lines of communication open so young people who are concerned about themselves or someone else always know there is someone they can talk to.”

The Australian Christian College Moreton has taken it a step further, implementing the use of app EI Pulse to complement its anti-bullying and safe school policies.

Offering students a 60 second weekly check-in, head of student wellbeing Derek Hughes said the app asks kids how they are feeling and if distressed, who would they like to talk to.

“Kids who may not have had the right words to ask for help, just have to press a button,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of instances where the issues raised were quite serious, and I can’t guarantee those issues wouldn’t have fallen through the cracks.

“Any help we can get in providing safe places to open up a conversation is a good thing.”