# data[].attributes.headline
The mental health of young Australians has become a more prominent issue in schools over the last decade, with reports of mental illness and self-harm becoming more prevalent (Mission Australia, 2016). 

# data[].attributes.subject
The mental health of young Australians has become a more prominent issue in schools over the last decade, with reports of mental illness and self-harm becoming more prevalent (Mission Australia, 2016). 

# data[].attributes.body
Those of Indigenous Australian heritage, and the LGBT community have an elevated risk of mental health issues (Mission Australia, 2016; Rosenstreich, 2013).

# data[].attributes.body
Indigeneity comes with multiple health and lifestyle risk factors such as an increased level of unemployment (20.6%), use of illicit substances, and binge drinking (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2016). These factors in turn increase the likelihood of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, addiction, and suicide. In 2016, almost 1/3 Indigenous youth reported a probable serious mental illness as opposed to 1/5 non-Indigenous youth (Mission Australia, 2016). Similarly, data from the ABS (2018) revealed the suicide rate in 2017 of Indigenous Australians was twice that of non-Indigenous (25.5 vs. 12.8) with figures steadily increasing since 2008 (ABS, 2018).

# data[].attributes.body
LGBT youth experience similar extremes with regards to mental illness. It has been found LGBT youth have a significantly higher rate of depression (24%-36% vs. 6%) than the general population, twice as likely to have psychological distress and anxiety disorders, plus the highest rate of suicidal tendencies of any group in Australia (Rosenstreich, 2013).

# data[].attributes.body
With these statistics in mind, it is critical for school to have adequate support and acceptance for minorities. It has been found that students of minority groups susceptible to mental illness have a lower chance of experiencing them if their school develops a supportive culture with strongly implemented anti-bullying policies (Birkett, Espelage and Koenig, 2009). Additionally, LGBT students who were harassed and experienced mental health issues as a result whilst at school had an increased risk of experiencing long term mental health issues than other students (Rivers, 2001).

# data[].attributes.body
Mental illness in young people spans much further than these groups, making it important for teachers to be aware of the prevalence and identify the warning signs in all of their students.
Mission Australia (2016) (see figure) found the rates of mental illness in young people had risen between 2012 and 2016 from 18.7% to 22.8%, with females being the most likely to be affected.
Additionally, a further Australian study found children from a lower socioeconomic status (SES) had a higher chance of having a mental illness (Lawrence D, Johnson S, Hafekost J, Boterhoven De Haan K, Sawyer M, Ainley J, Zubrick, 2015).
Other factors which contribute to and indicate a child has a mental health issue include: divorced parents, physical and/or intellectual disability, bullying, school disengagement, poor school transition, withdrawal, and truancy (Doll and Lyon, 1998)

# data[].attributes.body
For schools, this means they must provide training and strategies for teachers to recognise a student with possible issues and assist them in receiving help from both school and outside services.
Schools should also have trained wellbeing support staff to assist students, and endeavour to implement school-wide strategies to promote acceptance, discourage bullying, and create a welcoming and safe environment for every student.