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On behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care,
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the National Mental Health Commission has been leading the development of a set of
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National Guidelines to include mental health and wellbeing in early childhood health checks.
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Research shows that around half of all mental health conditions start before the age of 14,
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so identifying where support may be needed early is vital.
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The Guidelines we are developing are aimed at health practitioners, services and State and
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Territory governments. They intend to improve the experience of the early childhood health check
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for children and their families, taking into account the unique context of their situation.
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The Guidelines seek to provide the framework for a nationally consistent way to help identify when
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children may be struggling or are overwhelmed, and link their family with the right support.
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To develop the Guidelines, we’ve been working with a wide range of people
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and organisations over 18 months, using three phases of consultation.
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Talking to parents, carers and kin,
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health and primary care practitioners, and organisations that support families.
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We’ve engaged with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and health workers.
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Refugee organisations and peak bodies.
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We’ve engaged with early childhood organisations and workers.
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Commonwealth, State and Territory government departments have also been involved.
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So far, we’ve engaged with nearly 600 people around Australia.
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We’ve been guided by an Advisory Group.
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The Advisory board has ensured we have people with
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deep expertise and experience leading the development of the guidelines.
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We’re now inviting you to review what has been proposed and provide feedback.
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Your feedback will help us to refine the final version of the National Guidelines.
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We invite you to go to our website, read about the draft guidelines and submit your views.
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Thank you for your time and consideration.
