Recommendation 19

Supporting infant, child and family mental health and wellbeing

What the Royal Commission said

The early years of a child's life are some of the most important. This is due to rapid brain development and physical growth. The early years can also be a risky time for mental health and wellbeing challenges to first appear. The combination of development, mental health and wellbeing challenges can have big impacts.

The Royal Commission called for a new infant, child and family mental health and wellbeing system for children aged 0-11 years. This new system will ensure that infants, children, and their families receive the treatment, care and support they need. It will focus on early intervention and providing age-appropriate care. The system will be made up of services that support 0-4-year-olds and 5-11-year-olds.

The Royal Commission found that the current mental health system focused on young people and adults. They found there are fewer supports available to infants, children and their families.

Addressing mental health and wellbeing challenges early in life can help prevent issues later on.

The Royal Commission also recognised the importance of parents, carers and supporters. They have a critical role to play in supporting infants' and children's mental health and wellbeing.

What are we doing?

To respond to the recommendations, we are working with our partners to establish the following supports and services.

Expanding Infant, Child and Family Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

The Department of Health is creating a more responsive and integrated infant, child and youth mental health and wellbeing system. This will provide developmentally appropriate mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support for newborns to 25-year-olds.

This will be achieved through the implementation of recommendation 19, recommendation 20 and recommendation 21.

Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals

Three Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals have been established to provide a ‘one-stop-shop' supporting infants and children aged 0-11 and their families. The Children’s Locals are located in Southern Melbourne, Brimbank-Melton and in Bendigo and host a range of health and wellbeing services including psychologists and psychiatrists, family supports, speech pathologists and paediatricians.

Assessments for autism are also available at no cost to families. Infants and children do not need to have a diagnosis or referral to access the Children’s Locals.

More information about the location of the three Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals is available on the Better Health Channel.

Family supports

Supports available for parents, families and carers of children aged 0-11 include:

• group-based parenting programs at the Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals in Brimbank-Melton, Southern Melbourne and Bendigo.
• group-based parenting sessions to those attending the Infant, Child and Family Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services located in Albury-Wodonga, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton, Traralgon and Warrnambool.
• a residential family centre for families with a child (or children) aged 0-11 years old experiencing major behavioural, emotional and relationship difficulties. The centre allows whole families to stay together overnight and access intensive therapy over 5 days. The residential family centre has been established in Macleod and is operated by Austin Health.