Smiling Mind project comes to an end in Big Rivers schools

Smiling Mind has been operating in the Big Rivers region for the last five years, working to support teachers and early learning educators to proactively support the mental health and wellbeing of their students.

Funded by the Katherine Region Communities for Children Program and facilitated by The Smith Family, Smiling Mind have supported 150 teachers and educators across the Big Rivers region.

Smiling Mind CEO Addie Wootten said the program started off supporting eight schools in Katherine which had since grown to 25 across Big Rivers.

READ MORE:

"There was an awareness in the region that a greater demand for mental health services was needed and there had been some devastating outcomes of suicide in the community.

"The Smith Family were looking to help support schools in the region to help take a more proactive approach to developing social and emotional skills that we know are linked to good outcomes in mental health and wellbeing.

Ms Wootten said the program was designed to equip students with the skills to navigate challenges from a younger, more crucial age.

"So really trying to embed into the school environment a structured, supportive and proactive approach to teaching children skills that they can learn everyday. So coping skills, skills that help build resilience, skills that help build social connections and how to help kids develop relationships with their peers."

Ms Wootten said the Katherine community had embraced the program, that would conclude at the end of term two.

"It has been amazing for the schools to get onboard in town and communities. It has been a really hard decision for us to wrap up this program and there are a few factors," she said.

"The last two years have been extremely difficult and I'm sure everyone can agree. It has been hard for us to run the program remotely based in Melbourne. We usually would travel up and run a series of training programs face to face, which we have since done remotely.

"The other factor is after five years, we have been getting feedback from teachers to say they have learnt some great skills and they're implementing the strategies into their schools.

"We feel like it is a good time to step away and there is good sustainability that will keep the programs running through the teachers."

Ms Wootten said this would not be the end of Smiling Mind connection to Katherine.

"We will be continuing to look at our program evolution. It is not a closed door, we will come back and run more programs if there is an opportunity and we feel like we can offer more support to the Katherine region."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?: Send letters to the editor or story tips to editor.kathtimes@austcommunitymedia.com.au