The Commission acknowledges and pays respect to the past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away
National Guidelines for including wellbeing in early childhood checks
Mental health concerns often begin during childhood. Supporting children’s experiences, health and development in the first 2,000 days of life is critical.
The National Mental Health Commission has developed National Guidelines to include mental health and wellbeing in early childhood health checks.
The National Guidelines are a framework to help health practitioners and state and territory government departments think about how to include mental health and wellbeing in early childhood health checks. They prioritise child and family safety and wellbeing.
The National Guidelines were delivered to the Department of Health and Aged Care in June 2024 and the project is now completed.
Background
The Department of Health and Aged Care asked the Commission to develop National Guidelines to include mental health and wellbeing in Early Childhood Health Checks (for children 0-5 years).
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.
National Consultation to inform the National Guidelines: July to September 2023
Consultation on the draft National Guidelines: March to May 2024
Advisory Group
A project Advisory Group was established to provide expertise, insights and advice on the development of National Guidelines. Members of the Advisory Group were:
Name
Organisation
Professor Ngiare Brown, co-chair
General Practitioner and Chair of the National Mental Health Commission Advisory Board
Anne Hollonds, co-chair
National Children’s Commissioner
Kate Armstrong
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
Representative
Secretariat of the National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
Professor Valsamma Eapen
UNSW, Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry Southwest Sydney (AUCS), BestSTART
Bronwyn Field
Department of Health and Aged Care
Emily Humphreys
Parent/carer representative
Associate Professor Nitin Kapur
Paediatrician, Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
Brad Morgan
Emerging Minds
Professor Frank Oberklaid
Paediatrician, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Sharon O’Mara
Children and Young People with Disability Australia
Dr Marshall Watson
Psychiatrist, Telethon Kids Institute
Dr Nicole White
General Practitioner, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Louise Wightman
Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Australia
Consultation
The Commission engaged The Australian Centre for Social Innovation to undertake a national consultation process, including an online survey and a series of workshops with key stakeholders to inform the development of the National Guidelines. The survey ran from July to August 2023 and national workshops were held throughout August and September 2023.
The Commission also consulted on the draft National Guidelines in March-May 2024. Consultation summary reports are available for download here.
The Commission acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands throughout Australia. We pay our respects to their clans, and to the elders, past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community.
Diversity
The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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.
Project timeline