The SKIPS (Supporting Kids in Primary Schools) program is designed to increase understanding of the impact of mental illness on families. 

The program gives grade five and six students appropriate language for talking about mental illness and increases their understanding of people who live with mental illness. It also builds upon teachers and parents' knowledge, helping them recognise and support families and children who may be dealing with a mental health issue.

The SKIPS program includes two staff sessions, three weekly student sessions and one parent session.

The impact of SKIPS

SKIPS uses education to strengthen the support network for children who live with a parent experiencing a mental illness. The program also aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the school and community. Students and teachers who complete the SKIPS program show a better understanding of mental health and feel more confident supporting children whose parents have a mental health problem.

After SKIPS:

90% of children could correctly identify what depression meant (compared to 2% before SKIPS)

86% of surveyed teachers felt confident that they could support a child whose parents had a mental illness (compared to 36% before SKIPS)

100% of surveyed teachers felt they had a good understanding of how having a parent with a mental illness could impact a child (compared to 48% before SKIPS)   

How to request SKIPS in your school

1. Check your eligibility

SKIPS is currently available to schools in the Perth metropolitan and Mandurah regions.

2. Contact us

If you have any questions about SKIPS or would like to enquire about running the program in your school, please contact us on 08 9245 2441 or email mentalhealth@wanslea.org.au

3. We’ll be in touch

Once we’ve received your enquiry, we’ll be in touch to provide further information and discuss the next steps to bring SKIPS to your school.