The Resilience Project

Understanding and supporting children’s mental health

Some people and organisations use the term ‘mental health’ to mean mental illness. But mental health is something everyone has, including babies and young children. A child’s mental health can change, depending on what’s going on in their life, and is shaped by many different things.

What is child mental health?

The Emerging Minds website has some great resoucres to help you understand your child's mental health and what to do if they need support?

These resources will be helpful if you:

• wonder what mental health ‘looks like’ in children
• thought infants and children didn’t have mental health
• want to know more about what shapes a child’s mental health
• are curious about children’s emotions and behaviours
• are unsure whether a child’s reactions or behaviours are ‘normal’ for their age and experiences, or might be signs of mental health difficulties
• want to know what you can do to nurture positive mental health in your child
• want to know how you can support a child who’s dealing with challenges or whose family or community is facing tough times.

Knowing what positive mental health looks like, and how to tell if a child might need some extra support, helps us nurture and protect children’s mental health when they’re young. It also sets the foundation for good health and wellbeing throughout the child’s life.

The Resilience Project

Here are some GEM chats to use this term....

Something to consider for next school holidays.....

‘3 Happy Tricks’ with Martin Heppell.

We’re back on the road tackling children’s mental health with our high-energy kids show tour – ‘3 Happy Tricks’ with Martin Heppell.

Through music, storytelling and plenty of laughs, these shows provide primary school aged children and their parents practical strategies how to be happier and more resilient.

You can catch the tour, featuring our most engaging and entertaining presenter, Martin Heppell, around Victoria in the Term 3 school holidays (September-October) in Bendigo, South Morang, Frankston, Ringwood, Melbourne, and Geelong!

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You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub.

You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.