A prevention first, whole-school approach to build mental fitness and wellbeing.
About Mentally Fit Primary Schools
Gotcha4Life’s Mentally Fit Primary Schools program is a three-year partnership that helps schools take action to embed mental fitness across the whole school community. With a focus on prevention, the program supports students, staff and families through simple daily habits, consistent language and evidence-based tools that make a lasting difference.
What is Mental Fitness?
Mental fitness is our capacity to navigate life’s ups and downs, foster a sense of connection and belonging, and seek help when needed. Like physical fitness, it’s something we can build over time with regular practice, and the earlier we start, the better prepared we are for whatever life throws our way. Our approach is built on strengthening three evidence-based mental health protective factors: emotional adaptability, social connectedness and help-seeking behaviour.
Build your school’s capacity to support mental health and wellbeing
With half of all mental health challenges beginning before age 14*, schools have a unique opportunity to prevent challenges before they escalate, and to actively build students’ mental fitness. But many educators and families feel unprepared to meet these growing needs or promote wellbeing with confidence.
The Mentally Fit Primary Schools program fills that gap. Grounded in an evidence-based SEL framework and developed with input from educators, psychologists and wellbeing experts, it provides the tools, language and support schools need to take practical, whole-community action.
We partner with schools across three years to embed simple, preventative practices that build mental fitness into everyday schools life: helping students to navigate challenges, build connections and learn to seek help when needed. Teachers gain strategies to support their own wellbeing and lead mental fitness in the classroom, and families receive resources and shared language to continue the conversation at home.
How we support your school community
Three-year partnership with a dedicated Educator providing coaching, support and guidance tailored to your school.
Personalised Mental Fitness Action Plan aligned to your school’s needs, complementing existing wellbeing programs.
Workshops, presentations and training for staff, students and families to build shared language, knowledge and skills.
Curriculum-aligned resources and evidence-based practical tools for classrooms and at-home use.
Feedback from participating schools
100% of staff
agreed their mental health awareness in the education setting had increased.
100% of staff
felt inspired to implement mental fitness strategies in their classrooms.
93% of parents
agreed they were motivated to support their child’s mental fitness at home.
"The Mentally Fit Primary Schools program develops a language, a way of talking about mental fitness and having strategies of how to develop our mental fitness that is not overwhelming and that's positive. The teachers feel empowered to use the language and strategies with each other, and with the kids."
Principal, Nicholson Street Public School
Frequently Asked Questions
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We offer a limited number of fully funded places each year, thanks to the generous support of our partners and donors. To check your school’s eligibility, simply submit an enquiry and our team will call and guide you through the next steps.
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The program begins with onboarding in Term 4, 2025, including a Discovery Session with your leadership team and a Gotcha4Life Mental Fitness Educator to co-design your Action Plan. Full program delivery, including workshops and school-wide activities, starts in Term 1, 2026.
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We offer a limited number of places each year, as every school is matched with a dedicated Mental Fitness Educator to ensure a tailored and impactful experience. We recommend registering early to avoid missing out.
If your school isn’t selected this round, you’ll still be part of the Gotcha4Life village, receiving free termly resources, webinars, and updates. We’ll also keep your details on file for future opportunities.
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Each school is partnered with a dedicated Mental Fitness Educator and receives:
Strategic planning and coaching for leadership and staff
Staff workshops and access to exclusive webinars
Mental Health First Aid upskilling
Parent/carer workshops, plus access to webinars for the wider school community
Curriculum-aligned classroom tools and lesson plans
Termly check-ins and ongoing support
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The program is aligned with the Australian Curriculum, especially the Health and Physical Education learning area. It supports SEL outcomes, including mental health, wellbeing, social and emotional learning, and help-seeking.
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We work with your team to understand your existing initiatives and build on them, creating a whole-school approach that strengthens shared language, habits and connection. Our aim is to support and enhance what you’re already doing.
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Trained Gotcha4Life Mental Fitness Educators and Facilitators work directly with schools, delivering workshops, training and ongoing support. They co-develop a tailored action plan with you and ensure the integration of mental fitness practices into daily school life. This represents between 8-10 in person/online visits per school year.
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Parents and carers are a key part of building a mentally fit school community. We engage families through dedicated workshops, take-home resources, and practical tools to increase shared language and support mental fitness at home. Termly webinars with guest speakers and regular updates keep families informed, inspired, and involved in their child’s mental fitness journey.
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The program is designed to integrate seamlessly into school life, with professional learning and classroom resources that support everyday practice - not add to the workload. Staff sessions are delivered during existing professional learning time, and student activities align with your calendar. Each year looks different and includes a mix of workshops, planning sessions, and optional extras like webinars and Mental Health First Aid, depending on your school’s goals.
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We collect data from students, teachers and parents to understand program outcomes and guide continuous improvement. Evaluation focuses on mental fitness literacy, emotional adaptability, social connectedness, and help-seeking behaviours. Our approach is developed in collaboration with Western Sydney University and Impact Institute.
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With half of all mental health issues emerging before age 14*, schools are uniquely placed to make a difference. Yet the growing complexity of mental health challenges can leave educators and families unsure where to start and unprepared to address it. Our program builds capacity, fosters resilience, and equips schools with practical tools to create an environment where every student can thrive.
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We can set up a meeting to discuss your school's specific needs, review the program details, and outline the next steps for participation. Click on the link above and fill in the form and we will get in touch.
Access Resources
Access our resource hub, the Mental Fitness Gym, to find a range of tools and activities designed to strengthen your emotional muscles, foster social connections, and encourage help-seeking in your school community.
Want to become a Mentally Fit School?
To explore your school’s eligibility for one of the fully funded places in the 2026 program, please get in touch by the end of Term 3.
To explore your school’s eligibility for one of the fully funded places in the 2026 program, please complete this form by the end of Term 3. One of our team members will be in touch.
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Our Mentally Fit Primary Schools program would not be possible without the support of our donors and partners.
Gotcha4Life’s Mentally Fit Primary Schools pilot program was partially funded by the NSW Government.
The information in our Mentally Fit Primary Schools program is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Gotcha4Life does not provide counselling or crisis support services. You can connect with mental health professionals for confidential 1-on-1 support and advice by calling Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 at any time or visit beyondblue.org.au. If someone you care about is experiencing emotional distress, please contact Lifeline who are there to listen and support you, 24 hours a day on 13 11 14. If someone’s life is in danger, call 000.
*The National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2021)