headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation has been announced as a recipient of the federal government's disaster ready fund, to reduce risk in communities across the country in the face of natural disasters.
headspace has been awarded $9 million over three years from January 2026 to deliver a national initiative - The Care and Prepare Toolkit - that strengthens mental health and wellbeing preparedness in school communities impacted by natural disasters.
"Schools play a critical role in providing safety and support to children, young people and families as communities respond to and recover from devastating impacts of natural disasters," headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said.
"headspace is proud to be able to continue to make a positive difference in schools and their communities, and to use the Disaster Ready Fund to get even more targeted supports to the schools and communities who need them.
"By working alongside state and territory education sectors to embed disaster preparedness and mental health resilience within schools, we will be in a strong position to reduce the long-term mental health impacts of natural disasters. We'll be helping children, young people and educators feel confident and supported before, during and after disasters."
The headspace Toolkit will provide Australian primary and secondary schools with tailored resources and training to build resilience in children, young people, educators and families; and increase awareness, knowledge and confidence to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.
The funding will also enable headspace to deliver customised workshops in schools to support them to implement preparedness activities.
The Albanese Government is providing $200 million in funding to support 96 projects across Australia through Round Three of its flagship $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund.
Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said helping young people prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters was an important way to build resilience in the community.
"I don't think there's an Aussie that's immune to bushfire, flood or cyclone threat," she said.
"I saw firsthand the impacts a natural disaster can have on young people during the Black Summer bushfires in 2019 and 2020 and headspace was an excellent support on the ground throughout that period.
"We want to be able to utilise ground-up ideas and initiatives such as the Care and Prepare Toolkit to invest in resilience and preparedness in communities across the country."
