Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. Mental health is a state of wellbeing where people can meet their learning potential, cope with normal stresses, and are connected to community and their friendshave high but achievable expectations for student learning and behaviour. promote positive and supportive teacher-student relationships and peer-peer relationships. use positive approaches to manage student behaviour, including fostering a range of strategies to prevent and respond to bullying.For most people, mental health issues emerge when they are young — half of all mental disorders emerge by the time people are 14 years old and three quarters by 25 years old – the same period when most people are in education.

As well as increasing a person's opportunity and choices in life, promoting mental health and wellbeing as a core role in education helps students:

flourish in their education journey

build resilience against adversity

develop protective factors from mental ill-health

provide them with skills and confidence to self-seek help for early intervention.