The Crucial Role of School Chaplains in Supporting Students' Wellbeing

School chaplains play a vital role in the support and care of students in Australian schools. According to a survey conducted by the National School Chaplaincy Association (NSCA) in 2017, chaplains provide nearly 175,000 support programs, reaching over 1.2 million participants each year. These programs focus on supporting the social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of students, and include over 80,000 sessions, more than 50,000 educational support programs, and almost 15,000 extra-curricular activities.

But chaplains do more than just provide support programs. They also have over 420,000 formal pastoral care conversations with students every year, covering a wide range of issues such as friendship and peer concerns, school behavior, mental health, bullying and harassment, and family breakdown. These conversations are often preventative and responsive, helping students to address issues before they become more serious.

In addition to providing support and care, school chaplains are also a key resource for referring students to other professional support services, including guidance officers, counsellors, and psychologists. Chaplains are trained to identify mental health issues and refer students to the appropriate services.

It's clear that school chaplains play a critical role in the support and care of students in Australian schools. Without them, many students may not receive the help and support they need. If you're interested in supporting school chaplaincy in your local area, consider partnering with Greater West For Christ (GWFC) Chaplaincy, a provider that works closely with local churches to care for local schools.