Margaret River-based schools activist Mark Cummins decries lack of political will to match public funding

Advocate and former teacher Mark Cummins has voiced frustration none of the major parties have taken the upcoming State election as a chance to champion public school students’ mental health. Central to Mr Cummins’ concerns is more than $10 million in recurrent funding given to Catholic Education WA after it mandated protocols known as the School Response and Planning Guidelines for Students with Suicidal Behaviour and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury. But the ex-teacher, who campaigned in Parliament in 2023 for the reforms, told the Times his recent efforts to demand equivalent funding to government schools had fallen flat. Mr Cummins said the new reality was schools were often the first port of call for young people facing mental health challenges and public school students deserved the same resources provided to CEWA. “What is just as concerning is the Liberals’ unwillingness to hold Labor accountable on this issue,” Mr Cummins told the Times. “As parents, we want assurances that all schools in WA adhere to these guidelines and are well resourced to do so. “Adherence to the guidelines should be included in school audits. Only then will parents’ fears be soothed, somewhat.” Labor, the Liberals and the Nationals have not directly addressed whether they will match the CEWA funding. Labor member for Warren-Blackwood Jane Kelsbie told the Times children’s mental health was complex and required “a multi-faceted approach at the school level, by government agencies and through support organisations”. The guidelines cited by Mr Cummins were supported and resourced by the Education Department, she said. “The WA Labor Government recently provided funding for an additional 100 school psychologists in public schools across the State in a major increase to the support available for students’ wellbeing and mental health,” Ms Kelsbie said. Liberal Party leader and member for Vasse Libby Mettam pointed to a $110m pledge for mental health and suicide prevention in WA. “We all know the earlier we identify mental health issues and seek to address those issues, the better the long-term outcome for both the patient and the health system,” she said. “Our investment will see $40m for suicide prevention, $40m for mental health prevention funding, and $33.5m to address eating disorders across the community. “Shifting the focus of how we identify and treat mental health conditions will require a whole-of-community response, and only the WA Liberals are committed to driving this change for future generations.” Nationals candidate for Warren-Blackwood Bevan Eatts pointed to education and mental health pledges already made, but acknowledged Mr Cummins had raised “an issue that deserves serious attention”. “While I can’t make specific funding commitments today, I can assure you that the Nationals WA will thoroughly review this matter as part of our broader education and mental health policy development,” he said. Last year the Times reported the mental health workload on teachers was another major contributor to the high numbers of staff leaving the profession. Lifeline 13 11 14