Smiling Mind has a bold vision to get their curriculum aligned mental fitness program into every primary school in Australia by 2030. 

The not-for-profit is well on the way, having already taken the evidence-based program, which focuses on building lifelong skills to support mental wellbeing and prevent mental illness, into 1700 Australian schools (around 20% of all primary schools). 

The digital curriculum, co-designed by psychologists and educators, is tailored for students in Years 1 to 6 and aligns with the Australian Curriculum. 

Smiling Mind aims to take the program to a further 6459 schools at a time when nearly 50% of young Australians are facing mental health challenges – and needs the support of philanthropies and government.  

The Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation has responded to the call, recently pledging $1 million over three years to support the expansion.  

Smiling Mind CEO Sarah La Roche says the Foundation’s grant will play a key role in enabling every school in Australia to get access to the program for free for two years before it moves to a paid model that will sustain the program, with a hardship offering for schools in need. 

“We were honoured to be one of The Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation’s first grant recipients three years ago,” Sarah said. “This new grant reinforces our deep partnership with the Foundation and their commitment to support child wellbeing, enabling us to collaborate to drive meaningful change, helping to equip more children with the skills they need to thrive at such a critical time.”  

Smiling Mind is on a mission to champion proactive mental health and wellbeing, while highlighting that Australia is failing to invest enough in children’s mental health. 

“At least one in seven primary school-aged children experience mental illness, and 50% of adult mental illness begins by age 14,” Sarah said. “Our long-term vision is to create generational change in mental health outcomes by ensuring that every child is enabled to develop these foundational mental fitness skills early in life. 

"Building mental fitness skills like mindfulness not only helps kids concentrate better in class, but also gives them tools to manage stress, build emotional resilience, and stay calm when faced with distractions.” 

Sarah said that research showed that while large parts of the community now feel able to talk more freely about mental health challenges, there is still confusion between mental health and mental illness. 

“People still tend to think about mental health through a prism of negative association with mental illness,” she said. “Our program shows children that they can build mental fitness, just like they can learn to be physically fit.” 

Sarah explained that the program provides teachers at all levels of primary schools with everything they need to help children learn, practice and integrate social and emotional skills, including take-home worksheets that can support family discussions about mental fitness.  

Independent evaluations of the classroom program have shown significant benefits, with two in three children reporting improved focus, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills, while 90% of teachers observe classroom improvements. 

The Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation CEO Anita Hopkins said the project would ultimately benefit two million children and create systemic change.  

“We’re excited that our grant will secure the first phase of the national roll-out, including a campaign committee, a team to engage schools, and enhancing infrastructure for the digital products,” Anita said, adding that the work of Smiling Mind was a perfect match for the Foundation’s mission. 

Smiling Mind is committed to driving lasting change in children’s mental health and has been advocating for increased investment in prevention and lifelong mental fitness.  

“The Our Kids Count campaign highlights the critical opportunity for Australia to transform mental health for the next generation,” Sarah said. “Both sides of Government made announcements during the Federal Election campaign about supporting mental health crises for young people over 12-years-old, but there was no forward thinking or investment in children at that critical earlier stage. 

“We're committed to continuing to advocate to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive — before mental health challenges take hold.” 

For information about supporting the program or bringing it to a specific school, visit Smiling Mind