The Australian Government has launched the world’s first children’s mental health and well-being strategy.
The aim is to provide a comprehensive, integrated system of services to maintain and support the mental health and well-being of children up to the age of 12-years-old.
Several key priorities identified in the strategy received funding in the 2021-22 Budget, which is providing a record $2.3 billion for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan which aimed at transforming Australia’s mental health system.
Specific initiatives dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of children and their parents and carers included:
- $54.2 million to create new Head to Health Kids mental health and well-being centres for children up to 12 years, in partnership with the state and territory governments;
- $42.3 million to support access to parenting education and support, to build parenting strategies and help parents to identify problem behaviours early;
- $26.8 million to support Kids Helpline and meet the increased demand for services;
- $47.4 million for perinatal mental health initiatives; and
- $111.4 million to allow family members and/or carers to access up to two of a patient’s available Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions, and to expand access to group sessions where appropriate.
The Strategy is available on the Commission’s website: www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au
