Empowering Students Where It Matters Most: Mental Health Maintenance at WA Universities
At 20Talk, we believe that mental health support shouldn’t wait until crisis hits — it should start where young people are already learning, growing, and finding their identity. That’s why we’ve partnered with six leading tertiary institutions across Western Australia to deliver our flagship Mental Health Maintenance (MHM) program directly to students — for free.
Thanks to the collaboration of:
The University of Notre Dame
The University of Western Australia
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Murdoch University
North Metropolitan TAFE
South Metropolitan TAFE
...we’ve been able to embed proactive mental health education at the centre of student life.
What is Mental Health Maintenance (MHM)?
Our MHM course is a 6-hour, research-backed training program designed to help young people build the tools they need to care for themselves and support others.
It’s not just about knowing the signs of distress — it’s about building habits, self-awareness and confidence in the small, everyday actions that protect our mental wellbeing.
We run three classes of 20 students per institution, creating safe, connected learning environments where students can reflect, share and grow together.
With one in four WA tertiary students reporting mental health struggles each year (ABS, 2022), campuses are not just places of learning — they’re frontline hubs in Australia’s youth mental health crisis.
By equipping students with preventative tools, strategies for self-care, and peer support skills, the MHM course helps intervene before issues escalate, building resilience and strengthening student communities from within.
Student Stories: The Real Impact
The results so far? Nothing short of powerful.
“This was the first time I’ve ever been taught how to actually look after my mental health. I walked away feeling stronger, and for the first time, like I’m not alone.”
— TAFE Student, North Metro
“What hit me most was realising I don’t need to be at rock bottom to reach out. The course made me feel human again.”
— ECU Student
“I’ve done other mental health programs before, but this one was different — it felt made for me, not just about me.”
— Murdoch University Student
Universities have also shared glowing feedback, with student engagement rates at all-time highs and requests for follow-up sessions and ongoing support initiatives.
What’s Next
With more than 360 students trained across WA this year alone — and 1,000+ on track by the end of next year — we’re only just beginning.
The goal is to make Mental Health Maintenance a core part of every young person’s education, as essential as physical health or financial literacy. Because knowing how to take care of your mental wellbeing shouldn't be optional — it should be foundational.
We’re proud to be leading the charge with the support of WA’s most trusted universities and TAFEs.
Want to Get Involved?
If you’re a university or educational institution looking to partner with us — or if you're a supporter who believes in proactive mental health education — we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we’re not just responding to crisis.
We’re building a new culture of care — one classroom at a time.
📩 hello@20talk.com.au
🌐 www.20talk.com.au