Mount Barker Community College wins mentally healthy education gong at WA Mental Health Awards

Mount Barker Community College has been recognised for going above and beyond in the promotion of positive mental health, receiving a top honour at this year’s WA Mental Health Awards.

Hosted by the WA Association for Mental Health, the awards brought together about 300 people from the mental health sector across the State for a celebration in Perth on Thursday.

More than 160 nominations across nine categories were judged by a panel of mental health sector employees; mental health lived experience consumers and carers; and WA Mental Health Commission representatives.

The MBCC team won the mentally healthy education award for an educational institution which encouraged, supported and promoted good mental health.

From kindergarten to Year 12, MBCC was recognised as a shining example of how a school can nurture and promote emotional wellbeing of students and staff across a diverse community spanning a 55km radius.

The school’s Build Up Zone Rangers program sees Year 6 students clad in bright yellow armbands trained and sent into the playground at lunchtime to help other students find support or friends to play with.

A Positive Behaviour Support school for 12 years, the college has a focus on creating a safe, inclusive environment with social, emotional and wellbeing programs.

The school honours Indigenous Australians by singing The Acknowledgement Song, along with the Australian national anthem.

The school also employs therapy dog Pickle to accompany student counselling sessions, has a child health centre on campus, and trains every Year 10 student in youth mental health first aid.

WAAMH chief executive Taryn Harvey congratulated MBCC and said good mental health in childhood set the foundation for good mental health into adulthood.

“Positive mental health gives children a sense of security and contentment, facilitates positive social interactions, and enables the steady development of critical competencies and life skills,” Ms Harvey said.

“When children have what they need to develop well in the early years, they can thrive and be healthy now and throughout their lives.

“We have a crucial window to set them up for life and prevent mental health issues developing later in adulthood or their teens.”