Health · Healthcare & Policy · 3 hrs ago
NSW funds school program as concern grows over children’s anxiety
The average age of first anxiety diagnosis is 11, according to the National Mental Health Commission.
At Tempe Public School in Sydney, Year 5 students made a ball for sharing worries about homework, sleep and friendships.
NSW announced $450,000 for Gotcha4Life’s Mentally Fit Schools program, which teaches skills such as asking for help and building supportive friendships.
The program also helps teachers recognise when students are struggling and how to raise concerns.
A psychologists’ association policy coordinator warned that general programs may not suit children with existing conditions and could add to distress if problems such as bullying go unaddressed.
The funding will extend the program to 20 more NSW schools in the state’s central west and south coast.
The NSW government announced a $450,000 investment in the Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Schools program.
The funding will let the charity expand the program to 20 more schools in the state’s central west and south coast.
At Tempe Public School in Sydney, Year 5 students created a ball activity to help them talk about and let go of worries.
The program’s chief executive says it helps teachers recognise when students are struggling and build support around them.
A psychologist association policy coordinator warns that universal mental health programs can fail vulnerable children and may increase distress if problems such as bullying are not addressed.
- Who
- The NSW government is funding the Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Schools program. The program supports students, teachers and parents.
- What
- The government announced a $450,000 investment to help the program reach 20 more schools.
- When
- The investment was announced last week, according to the article published November 1, 2026.
- Where
- The additional schools will be in NSW’s central west and south coast. The article also describes the program at Tempe Public School in Sydney.
- Why
- The investment is intended to address growing concern about childhood anxiety.
Gotcha4Life
Australian Association of Psychologists
Program’s value
Gotcha4Life
Chief executive Belinda Elworthy says the program is comprehensive, tailored to each school and helps build a village of support.
Australian Association of Psychologists
Policy coordinator Carly Dober warns that universal mental health programs may not suit children with existing mental health conditions.
Teachers’ role
Gotcha4Life
Elworthy says the program helps teachers recognise when students are struggling and how to escalate concerns.
Australian Association of Psychologists
Dober says teachers should not be expected to manage students’ mental distress on top of their daily workload.
Risks
Gotcha4Life
Elworthy says the three-year program supports teachers, students and parents.
Australian Association of Psychologists
Dober says programs may increase distress if schools do not address underlying problems such as bullying or hate speech.
The NSW government announced $450,000 for the Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Schools program.
Year 5 students created the “forget about it ball” as part of the program.
- Government investment
- $450,000
- Program expansion
- 20 additional schools
- Expansion locations
- NSW central west and south coast
- Average age at first anxiety diagnosis
- 11 years old
- Principals’ survey
- 81 per cent of 700 primary school principals said children’s anxiety was a significant issue within their school
What people are saying
You kick it back and forth to a friend, and you’re basically just forgetting about your bad emotions
There might be kids or young people who already have existing mental health conditions, and the programs don’t actually fit their need at all
Part of what the Gotcha4Life program does [is] build that village of support
You’d talk to someone in your village about how you feel, and as you talk to them, then you should feel … calmer, and let go of your worries