Researchers from Macquarie University conducted a trial including more than 10,000 Australian students to test a quick, online survey to identify young people at risk of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and peer victimisation.

Following the check-ins, schools received a list of students who reported that they were currently feeling emotional distress and then provided feedback to caregivers for the students.

The Brief Evaluation of Adolescents and Children Online (BEACON) project, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, demonstrated that simply by participating in these screenings/surveys students experienced improved mental health outcomes.

At schools that conducted check-ins, one year later, 20 per cent fewer students reported emotional difficulties and they attended school on 30 per cent more days than students from schools that didn’t run check-ins.

Lead researcher from Macquarie University’s Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Distinguished Professor Ron Rapee, says the findings highlight the important role schools can play in supporting youth mental health.

“Many young people with emotional disorders can fly under the radar, making it especially important to proactively identify and support them,” Rapee says.

“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.

“The reason for this requires further investigation, but it may be that just doing the screening made them aware that their mental health was something they could get help with, and they could talk about it with their friends, families, and teachers,” he says.

“I think it led to a lot of families opening up conversations, and the kids also felt better able to be honest about any difficulties they were having.”

Professor Ron Rapee, pictured above, and his team have developed a survey for Years 4 and 5, and one for Years 6 to 11 that asks scaled questions where students can provide their own perspectives about their current feelings of mental health.

Rapee is also lead scientific advisor of My Mind Check, a free digital platform launched in 2024, funded by the Federal Government.

The BEACON research directly informed the development of the platform, which enables schools to perform 10-15-minute check-ins on their students’ wellbeing throughout the school year, helping schools understand whether students may benefit from further information or attention.

With caregiver or student permission, schools can easily track their students’ mood, stress levels and overall mental health and wellbeing over time.

Rapee says about 14 per cent of young Australians have an emotional disorder, but only a quarter of them receive help from a health service.

“Unlike children and teenagers with behavioural issues, those with emotional disorders often fly under the radar, so it’s very important that we get them the help they need early on,” he says.

“School is the ideal environment to assess young people, but there has been little application of check-ins in Australian schools or scientific evaluation of its value.”

He says several programs have been tested in US schools, but are costly and have not been tested in the Australian environment, whereas Macquarie’s program “is a first because it’s quick, effective and sustainable”.

The BEACON project, which received nearly $750,000 in funding from the Bupa Health Foundation and Macquarie University, was developed in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education, NSW Health, the Mental Health Commission of NSW, and major education bodies.

Dr Lauren McLellan, director of My Mind Check, says the BEACON project findings have transformative potential for Australian schools.

“This research validates what we’ve long suspected – that giving students a voice in their mental health journey can lead to better outcomes,” McLellan says.

“Having concrete evidence that our evidence-based school mental health check-in platform My Mind Check can make a meaningful difference provides a compelling case for schools to implement it.”

The findings come at a crucial time, with approximately 14 percent of young Australians experiencing emotional disorders, yet only a quarter receiving professional help.

Click here to view the full research.

For more information about My Mind Check, click here.