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Understanding and Supporting Children's Mental Health
The Children's Wellbeing Continuum
The Children’s Wellbeing Continuum is an evidence-based tool developed to support conversations around children’s wellbeing. The tool provides a snapshot of a child’s social and emotional wellbeing at a point in time.
The Continuum has four anchor points that range from “Good” through to “Coping”, “Struggling” and “Overwhelmed”. Children's mental health and wellbeing is dynamic, often shifting along the continuum over time.
The Raising Healthy Minds app by raisingchildren.net.au has published an animation video to help showcase what the Continuum is and how it can be used to support children's social and emotional wellbeing.
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.
Emerging Minds has developed a collection of resources to share some of the most important things we know about children’s mental health.
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.
Whether life is going well right now, or your child or family is navigating tough times, there are five key things you can do to support your children’s mental health.
This resource introduces the ‘PERCS’ for families – the five areas of family life you can focus on to help nurture and protect your child’s mental health and overall wellbeing.
Download a copy HERE
Parenting Podcasts, Apps & Newsletters
Online Parenting and Mental Health Programs
All families with children between birth and 12 years can get free, expert parenting tips and strategies via the online Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. This FREE program is funded by the Victorian Government and you can get ideas on how to positively support your child’s emotional wellbeing, social skills and more.
These online programs are interactive with videos, worksheets and activities and can be done anywhere, anytime. They offer practical suggestions to help you:
· raise happy, confident, emotionally resilient kids
· encourage positive behaviour
· set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
· take care of yourself as a parent
· feel confident about your own parenting choices
Support your children to thrive – these tips and tools are FREE for all Victorian families! Get started today at www.triplep-parenting.net.au
Learn how to respond to childhood anxiety: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/free-parenting-courses/fear-less-triple-p-online/
Free statewide access to Triple P’s online programs is funded by the Victorian Government
Links to Parent Support Services
Free support to manage stress, anxiety and improve your wellbeing
A great place to start in your search for digital mental health resources
Your mental health is important. Some days are better than others and we all need a helping hand from time to time
Information and services for people supporting a young person
Ph: 1300 30 1300
Information for parents
For parents
A range of health and support services
Support Services for Students
Fact Sheets and Further Resources
The BRAVE Program - an free, interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety
The Orange Door - Easily accessible, community based point of entry for children, young people and families needing support. Ph: 1300 271 150
Reach Out - mental health service for young people and parents
Lifeline 13 11 14 - Toolkits and factsheets
Australian Psychological Society: Information sheets relating to Covid-19
Andrew Fuller (Clinical Psychologist): Free resources for parents
The Happiness Action Pack - "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions" - Dalai Lama
Emerging Minds - Talking to children about traumatic events or worries about the future (video)
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