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National Guidelines for including mental health and wellbeing in Early Childhood Health Checks

Over the past year, the National Mental Health Commission has held an extensive consultation process involving up to 600 people, and we’d now like to hear your feedback on the draft National Guidelines.

Date published:

You may be aware that the National Mental Health Commission is leading a project to develop National Guidelines. These will support states and territories to include mental health and wellbeing in early childhood health checks (for children aged 0-5 years). 

Mental health concerns often begin during childhood. We also know that supporting children’s experiences, health, and development in the first 2,000 days of life is critical. 

All states and territories include wellbeing milestones in their early childhood health checks. However, when and how wellbeing is explored varies. Introducing National Guidelines supports national consistency. The National Guidelines aim to help children early, and to allow families to get timely support and advice. 

Over the past year, we’ve held an extensive consultation process, involving up to 600 people, and we’d now like to hear your feedback on the draft National Guidelines.  

Watch our video or visit our project webpage to find out more, and go to our Have Your Say page to share your feedback by 2 June 2024. 

National Mental Health Commission media contact

Email:
news@health.gov.au
Telephone:
02 6289 7400
Tags:
  • Children & family

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