Mental Health Education

At Birkenhead Primary School we are delighted to be working in partnership with Mitey to grow and support the mental health and wellbeing of all our students.  

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The Sir John Kirwan Foundation has designed Mitey with NZ teachers and the University of Auckland to provide an evidence-based approach to teaching mental health education to primary and intermediate aged children.

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It is built around the NZ curriculum and embedded into everyday learning, to ensure children are equipped with the age-appropriate skills and knowledge they need to recognise and respond to mental health issues in both themselves and others before they enter teenage years. 

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THIS IS HOW IT WORKS

A Mitey coach is working with staff to develop teaching and learning. This ensures Mitey is tailored to our school’s unique culture and community.

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Mental health education will be taught by our teachers in every classroom with the skills, knowledge and understanding of mental health woven into what is already being taught.

Parents and the whole school community are an integral part of Mitey’s approach and, as with all our learning, your engagement and support is a key aspect of educating our students.

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WHY THE NEED

Mental health concerns and issues amongst NZ youth have doubled in the past 10 years and we all agree that unhappy students don’t learn. Youth suicide rates in NZ are among the highest in the world. Partnering with Mitey allows our school to be part of a transformational change for young people by enabling them to nurture their mental health – and that of others – for the rest of their lives.  

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To learn more you can follow this link which will take you to Mitey’s homepage www.mitey.org.nz