Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) Initiative

At Footscray North Primary School, we are proud to be part of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative — a ground-breaking, evidence-based program led by the University of Melbourne in partnership with the Department of Education and Training Victoria and Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

The MHiPS initiative aims to build the capacity of schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of all students and strengthen early intervention practices across primary school settings. 

What Is MHiPS?

The MHiPS initiative places a dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL) in participating schools. This role is embedded within the school leadership team and is responsible for:

• Leading a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing
  
  
• Supporting teachers to identify and respond to emerging student needs
  
  
• Embedding inclusive, trauma-informed and strengths-based practices
  
  
• Connecting students and families to the right supports at the right time
  
  
• Building staff capability in mental health promotion and early intervention
  
  

How MHiPS Supports Our School Community

At FNPS, our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader works closely with teachers, education support staff, students and families to: 

• Strengthen classroom practices that support student wellbeing
  
  
• Guide the development of Individual Support Plans when needed
  
  
• Lead implementation of key wellbeing programs such as Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR)
  
  
• Coordinate whole-school approaches to behaviour support and student engagement
  
  
• Provide staff with ongoing professional learning and coaching
  
  
• Collaborate with wellbeing teams, external agencies, and community partners to ensure students get timely access to services
  
  

Our commitment through MHiPS is to ensure that every child at FNPS feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Working Together

We believe that mental health is everyone’s business. At FNPS, staff, families, and students work together to foster a culture of care, inclusion, and proactive support. Through MHiPS, we ensure mental health is embedded in everything we do — from classroom teaching to leadership decisions.

If you would like to know more or speak to our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, please contact the school office or visit the Be You – Family Resources page for helpful information on supporting your child’s wellbeing at home.

For more information about MHiPS, visit:

• Murdoch’s Chidren’s Research Institute- Mental Health in Primary Schools 
• University of Melbourne – Mental Health in Primary Schools
• Department of Education Victoria – Mental Health Initiatives