The National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Report

Foreword

The mental health and wellbeing of children defines their childhood experience and impacts their ability to live a long and contributing life. Australia requires a nationally consistent mental health and wellbeing system that supports all children, and their communities, to thrive. Every child has a right to be supported to grow in a safe and healthy environment. The families and communities that nurture them need access to the supports and services that ensure that environment is possible.

A message from the co-Chairs

Despite the best efforts of governments over the years, providing timely, appropriate and equitable access to services supporting child mental health has been problematic. Mental health services are delivered in many settings by a range of providers, with poorly developed linkages between them...

Executive Summary

The National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (the Strategy) provides a framework to guide critical investment in the mental health and wellbeing of children and families. There is nothing that will have more impact on improved mental health outcomes for all Australians than early intervention. Investing in the wellbeing of children and their families will have radiating benefits throughout our communities as well as through the broader health and education systems.

1. Introduction

The imperative for promoting the wellbeing of children and preventing mental illness is clear from a moral, social, and economic perspective.

2. An optimal child mental health system

To achieve an optimal child mental health system, this Strategy proposes a number of actions that collectively represent a fundamental, cultural shift in the way we think about mental health and wellbeing for children.

3. Focus Areas

To help Australia achieve the cultural shift towards an optimal child mental health and wellbeing system, the following sections outline key objectives and actions under four focus areas.

4. Implementation

For this Strategy to have the intended impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing, it must be acted on.

5. Summary of Actions

Responsibility for implementation of these actions may be shared between groups or amended as requirements are scoped.

Appendix A: Membership of Expert Advisory Group and Steering Committee

References

Last updated:

26 September 2023

Lived Experience

We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.

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