Written by Emily Martinella, Youth Opportunities CE.
As schools face growing pressure to support students’ mental health and wellbeing, Youth Opportunities is helping young people build the confidence, resilience and practical life skills to navigate challenges before they escalate.
Teachers are there to teach. Yet increasingly, they are also supporting students through anxiety, relationship difficulties, disengagement and the pressures of growing up in a complex world.
A recent report highlighted in The Advertiser found that nine in ten Australian teachers say supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing is now part of their job. These growing demands are raising concerns about teacher stress, burnout and the capacity of schools to meet students’ increasingly complex needs.
Teachers play a vital role in creating safe, supportive learning environments. But they cannot be expected to address every challenge alone.
A shared responsibility for young people
Young people today are navigating academic expectations, social pressures, relationships and uncertainty about the future. For those already facing barriers, these challenges can feel particularly overwhelming.
While access to appropriate mental health support is essential, there is also an opportunity to act earlier, helping young people develop the skills and confidence to manage challenges, make positive decisions and seek support when they need it.
This is where Youth Opportunities brings 30 years of expertise.
As a South Australian not-for-profit, Youth Opportunities partners with schools to deliver evidence-based personal leadership programs that help young people strengthen their confidence, resilience, self-belief and sense of control over their lives.
Through practical, student-led learning, young people develop skills in emotional awareness, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, goal-setting and building positive relationships. These skills help them navigate setbacks, respond constructively to challenges and recognise their capacity to shape their futures.
Building skills before challenges escalate
Youth Opportunities’ approach focuses on early intervention, equipping young people with practical tools before difficulties become more entrenched.
The impact extends beyond the program itself. When young people develop greater confidence in their abilities, learn to manage their responses and build stronger relationships, they are better equipped to engage with school, navigate everyday challenges and take greater ownership of their futures.
Youth Opportunities’ program evaluations reflect the importance of this work. In 2025, participating young people experienced a 32.2% reduction in high-risk psychological distress, demonstrating the potential for targeted personal leadership development to contribute to improved wellbeing.
These programs are not a replacement for mental health professionals or specialist support. Rather, they form part of a broader approach that helps young people build essential skills while recognising when additional support may be needed.
Supporting schools to support young people
Youth Opportunities works alongside schools, recognising that lasting change requires a shared commitment between young people, educators and the wider community.
Through program delivery and ongoing school support, Youth Opportunities helps reinforce the skills young people develop, creating opportunities for these learnings to translate into everyday life.
By investing in young people early, we can help build school communities where students feel more confident, connected and equipped to navigate challenges, while contributing to a broader culture of wellbeing, positive relationships and engagement.
Teachers should not have to carry the growing burden of student wellbeing alone. Supporting young people requires a collective response, with schools, families, communities and organisations working together.
At Youth Opportunities, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to believe in themselves, develop the skills to overcome challenges and create a positive future. When young people have the right tools and support, the benefits reach beyond the individual into classrooms, families and communities.
Emily Martinella
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES CE