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Regularly checking in with students has been shown to significantly improve their mental health. By consistently offering opportunities for connection and support, schools become environments where students feel safe to speak up about their own wellbeing.
Written by Ron Rapee (Distinguished Professor, My Mind Check Scientific Advisor and researcher within Macquarie University’s Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre), 17 June 2025
In recent years, the mental health of students has become a growing concern for educators, caregivers, and communities. Academic pressures, social challenges, and the lingering effects of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic have left many students feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
While schools often turn to large-scale mental health programs and interventions, studies have shown that conducting brief, online check-ins can be a simple and powerful tool in improving the mental health and wellbeing of students.
Young people in Australia are facing more mental health challenges than ever before, with mental disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression) affecting up to 15% of Australian youth1.
Many young people with emotional difficulty can fly under the radar, making it especially important to proactively identify and support them. School-based mental health check-ins is a method by which young people in schools can be quickly assessed for emotional disorders, and then connected with the appropriate support before challenges escalate2.
Although the reasoning behind this process is clear, mental health screening has received very little scientific evaluation and even less application in Australian schools.
The BEACON research project managed through Macquarie University’s Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre has shown us that brief online mental health check-ins within schools not only help identify at-risk youth, but can actively improve student mental wellbeing over time.
This extremely successful project provided scientific evidence for the economic and social value of school-based mental health screening and helped us produce the tools to allow Australian schools to pursue this process.
“Our research shows that students who participate in these check-ins not only feel more supported but also report significant improvements in mental health a year later, including reduced school absences and fewer mental health challenges.” – Distinguished Professor Ron Rapee, lead researcher from Macquarie University’s Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre.
Checking in with students doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming and can help create a safe space where they feel heard and supported.
My Mind Check enables schools to conduct quick 10–15-minute supervised check-ins, helping proactively identify and address students’ wellbeing needs early.
Our tool provides real-time information that helps schools understand their students’ wellbeing, identify those who may benefit from extra support, and equips educators with practical tools and resources to support students with confidence.
Understanding and recognising wellbeing concerns early enables timely intervention, can reduce long-term impacts, and leads to better outcomes for young people.
When schools have the right tools to understand and support student mental health and wellbeing, meaningful change is possible.
Get in touch with our team today to learn how My Mind Check can help you check-in with your students and better support their mental health and wellbeing.
References:
1. Lawrence, D., Johnson, S., Hafekost, J., Boterhoven De Haan, K., Sawyer, M. G., Ainley, J., & Zubrick, S. (2015). The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents. Report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Department of Health.
2. Burns, J. R., & Rapee, R. M. (2021). From barriers to implementation: Advancing universal mental health screening in schools. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 31(2), 172-183. https://doi.org/10.1017/jgc.2021.1
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