Mental Health & Wellbeing
Articles, Videos & Resources
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Articles, Videos & Resources
Mental health in kids refers to a child’s social and emotional wellbeing.
A child’s mental health can vary from feeling good to facing challenges or being diagnosed with a mental health condition. About 1 in 10 Australian children aged 4 – 11 have a mental health disorder. The most common disorders are attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety.
It is estimated that half of all adult mental health disorders start before the age of 14.
Having good mental health is key to healthy child development and wellbeing.
Kids need good mental health so they can:
Kids can struggle with a range of issues as they grow up.
A child’s mental health can be affected by many things, including:
Everyone feels sad, angry or upset sometimes — including children. But if your child feels like this most of the time, it’s a sign they may need help.
Other signs include:
If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). To talk to someone now, call Suicide Call Back Service1300 659 467 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you are worried about your child’s mental health, it’s important to seek help early. You can speak to:
There are plenty of things you can do to improve your child’s wellbeing and help prevent mental health issues from developing. For example, encouraging them to:
A safe and supportive relationship between you and your child is one of the most influential factors in your child’s development.
As a parent or carer, there are some simple steps you can take to support your child’s mental health. Tips you can try:
If you’d like to find out more, or talk to someone, here are some organisations that can help:
Do you speak a language other than English?
This information has been developed for indigenous communities: