Brief Interventions in Youth Mental Health Toolkit (BIT)

Program description

The Brief Intervention Toolkit (BIT) provides training for mental health and wellbeing professionals working in secondary schools to deliver psychosocial intervention to young people. It aims to equip these professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully deliver a brief intervention model within the school setting.

BIT provides 9 evidence-based modules to use with and support young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns. The toolkit focuses on mental wellbeing and skill development including:

• sleeping well
• mindfulness and relaxation
• problem solving skills
• understanding and managing my moods
• communicating with confidence
• understanding my anger
• physical activity for wellbeing
• understanding and accepting myself
• nutrition for wellbeing.

Intended outcomes

• Increased clinician confidence, knowledge and skills to undertake interventions for young people with mild to moderate mental health concerns
• Improved understanding of the evidence for use of brief interventions as an early intervention strategy for supporting young people presenting with mild to moderate mental health concerns
• Improved timely access to evidenced-based interventions for young people
• Symptomatic relief and reduced psychological distress of young people
• Improved capacity of young people to develop skills to manage their mental health and wellbeing

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Target population: Mental health and wellbeing professionals working in secondary schools.
• Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • asylum seeker and refugee students
  • culturally and linguistically diverse students
  • LGBTIQA+ students
  • neurodivergent students
  • students with a disability.
• Staffing: Backfill is only needed if the wellbeing team and mental health practitioner have other activities or teaching that needs to be covered to attend training and reflective practice sessions.
• Training requirements: Virtual training and the reflective practice sessions require access to a computer, internet connection, Microsoft Teams or Zoom and a quiet space if training. Face-to-face delivery requires a suitable venue and access to reliable IT resources, including hardware and internet access.
• Factors to consider: The number of participants can vary from one professional to a cohort of professionals across different schools. The commitment is a full day training workshop with additional 3 x 60-minute support sessions. These times can be flexible around staff availability minimising the need for backfill.
• Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$5,000+

Detailed cost

The price of the program is $6,630 (including GST), including preparation and engagement, delivery, evaluation, support sessions, and a final report.

Additional support sessions are priced at $350 per hour.

Travel is costed per contract and will be based on the ATO reasonable travel rates for accommodation, meals and other as well as actual flight costs.