Skip to main content

The Victorian government has invested $217.8 million over four years to support student mental health and wellbeing, including $200 million over four years and $87 million ongoing to create a Schools Mental Health Fund (the Fund). Underpinning the Fund is the evidence-based Menu (the Menu).

The Menu provides schools with opportunities to purchase evidence-based programs and initiatives across the three tiers of intervention. This includes initiatives that:

  • promote student mental health and wellbeing
  • enable schools to intervene early to support students
  • provide targeted and more individualised support for students who need it.

Menu items have been externally assessed for how well they support student mental health and wellbeing, ensuring schools have access to a range of evidence-based supports to meet their needs.

OurFutures is rated the highest by the menu for it’s level of evidence (level 4)

Schools of Substance is a school-based alcohol and other drug education support program. The program has five optional key components:1. Review of the school’s existing programs
2. Development of best practice policy
3. OURFUTURES: Implementation of evidence-based alcohol and other drug prevention programs within schools
4. Training and information for teachers and parents
5. Evaluation of the Schools of Substance program

Click here for OurFutures on the Menu

For more information on the fund please see: 

  1. Rules of Use (from the Victorian Department of Education) VIC schools-mental-health-fund-menu-rules-of-use
  2. Instructions for Reporting Expenditure (from the Victorian Department of Education) VIC schools-mental-health-fund-instructions-for-reporting-expenditure
Educational ArticlesPrevention Programs for students| January 30, 2026

How schools can implement OurFutures programs across 2026

Schools across Australia are facing rapidly evolving challenges when it comes to student health and wellbeing. Vaping, alcohol, emerging drugs,…
January 30, 2026Read More
Prevention Programs for studentsPrevention Programs for students| November 18, 2025

Philanthropy in action: creating ripple effects nationwide

When philanthropy meets evidence-based prevention, transformation happens. Since May 2025, the partnership between the Elaine Walters Foundation (EWF) and OurFutures…
November 18, 2025Read More
Prevention Programs for studentsReal StoriesVaping| November 18, 2025

St Luke’s Catholic College: Leading a new standard in vaping prevention

How St Luke’s Catholic College equipped 296 students with the knowledge and confidence to make healthier choices At St Luke’s…
November 18, 2025Read More
In the NewsMedia ReleasesPrevention Programs for studentsVaping| October 15, 2025

Celebrating the Launch of the Vaping Prevention Program

On 13 August 2025, the OurFutures Institute proudly launched the Vaping Prevention Program at the University of Sydney’s Chau Chak…
October 15, 2025Read More