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Kids and mental health

7-minute read

If you need to talk to someone about your mental health, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Key facts

  • About 1 in 10 Australian kids aged 4 – 11 have a mental health disorder.
  • The most common disorders are attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety.
  • Having good mental health is important for children’s development.
  • A child’s mental health can be affected by family history, school and life events.
  • Ask for help from a professional if you are worried about your child’s mental health.

What is mental health in kids?

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.

Why is kids' mental health important?

Having good mental health is key to healthy child development and wellbeing.

Kids need good mental health so they can:

What can affect my child’s mental health?

Kids can struggle with a range of issues as they grow up.

A child’s mental health can be affected by many things, including:

When should my child see a doctor?

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 Service 1300 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:

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How can I improve my child’s mental health?

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:

  • Take an active interest in your child.
  • Encourage them to talk about what’s happening in their life, without pushing them.
  • Be aware of changes in their behaviour.
  • Learn more about mental health in children and young people.

Resources and support

If you’d like to find out more, or talk to someone, here are some organisations that can help:

Other languages

Do you speak a language other than English?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

This information has been developed for indigenous communities:

  • Yarn Safe has mental health and wellbeing information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Wellmob has more mental health information and resources Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Sources:

Emerging minds (What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?), Black dog institute (Children’s mental health and wellbeing), Kids Helpline (My child struggles with mental health), Headspace (Tips to keep good mental health), PubMed (Parenting and Child Development: A Relational Health Perspective)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: February 2024


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