The mental health initiative “Mitey” has been introduced in schools across the Waikato region. Developed by the Sir John Kirwan Foundation and mental health experts, Mitey integrates mental health education into New Zealand’s curriculum, treating it with the same importance as subjects like reading and math. The program has already reached 65,000 students nationwide.
Mitey offers free mental health education for students in Years 1-8 and has now been adopted by six schools in Hamilton, Cambridge, Matamata, and Newstead.
Hamilton’s Knighton Normal School is among the new participants. Principal Andrew Campbell emphasized to the Waikato Herald the importance of mental health education, equating it to literacy.
“Mental health is a daily part of our lives. We want our children to be in the best possible place every day,” Campbell said. “For children to thrive academically, they need the right headspace and the skills to navigate life’s challenges. Both are interconnected—you can’t expect children to reach their learning potential if their mental health isn’t right.”
Knighton Normal School, noted for its diversity and the various challenges its students and families face, sees Mitey as a means to support the holistic development of its students. “We are always looking for ways to equip our children with the skills and knowledge for health-enhancing decisions in life, and mental health is a significant part of that. We are excited about this initiative and believe it will benefit our students greatly,” Campbell added.
Matamata’s Hinuera Primary School has also joined the Mitey program. Principal Bex Kilgour highlighted the positive impact on both students and teachers.
“Mitey provides an excellent opportunity for our teachers to build trusting relationships through a curriculum-based approach,” Kilgour said. “It focuses not only on students but also ensures teachers are well-equipped with the knowledge and capability to embed and sustain mental health education through Mitey lesson plans. This approach also supports the wellbeing of our staff.”
Kilgour expressed pride in participating in the Mitey initiative, noting the program’s culturally responsive Mana model. “At Hinuera, we pride ourselves on creating a culture of belonging, and this program provides a pathway to actively support mental health,” she said.
John Kirwan, the former All Black and long-time mental health advocate behind Mitey, explained that the program aims to make mental health a regular but crucial subject in schools.
“We know our youth suicide rates are too high, and addressing this issue is complex,” Kirwan said. “Mitey can help by equipping our children with the skills, knowledge, and understanding they need to handle pressure and find their place in the world when life gets tough. Research shows that teaching mental health basics consistently to young children helps them manage life’s ups and downs and develop empathy for others.”
Martin Bradley, chairman of the Grassroots Trust, which supported Mitey’s launch in Waikato, expressed pride in the trust’s contribution. “We all have a role in supporting the mental health education of young Kiwis. Awarding this grant to Mitey and promoting mental wellbeing in the community was a natural fit for us,” Bradley said.
In addition to Knighton Normal and Hinuera Primary, Mitey began at Endeavour Primary and Cambridge Primary this month, with Matangi Primary and Newstead Model scheduled to implement the program in term 4. More schools are set to join the initiative next year.
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