THE Where There's a Will (WTAW) Foundation is about to undertake the most comprehensive study of child wellbeing in the Upper Hunter.
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And, the organisation would like parents and carers of school-aged children to help make it happen.
Key to the study will be a survey of kids aged 10 and older in all schools.
Where There's a Will is requesting parents and carers sign a note giving permission for their children to participate in the survey.
All student answers will be anonymous, however the responses will help WTAW and schools determine the current status of wellbeing in children and what mental health and wellbeing programs are best suited to kids in the Upper Hunter.
Where There's a Will is working with experts from Melbourne University's Positive Pyschology department to run and analyse the survey results and, in the long-term, the study will be used to track changes to wellbeing and provide direction for future wellbeing initiatives.
Notes are being distributed via every school in the Upper Hunter and Where There's a Will founder Pauline Carrigan is urging parents to give their children permission to participate.
"So often we have people wanting to know what they can do to help WTAW and to help their own child's wellbeing," she said.
"Well this is it.
"Please hunt down these permission slips and sign away.
"We all want our kids to be thriving and flourishing and the information we gain from these surveys will really help us understand how we can best make this happen.
"We want to ensure every program we deliver reflects the uniqueness of our rural community and the challenges that can come with that.
"Importantly, the responses will also provide data so we can lobby government agencies for more urgently required services to Upper Hunter.
"It's no secret that we are lacking in this area compared to our city counterparts and these survey results will help strengthen our argument.
"Kids need to access services right here when they are needed."
The survey will be conducted in class time during Term Two, with the survey taking 25-35 minutes for primary school pupils and 35-45 minutes for high school-aged students.
WTAW will also be inviting youth aged 18-25 to take part in the survey later in the year.
Details will be shared on the Where There's a Will Foundation website when they are finalised.