National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Report

The mental health and wellbeing of children defines their childhood experience and impacts their ability to live a long and contributing life. Australia requires a nationally consistent mental health and wellbeing system that supports all children, and their communities, to thrive. Every child has a right to be supported to grow in a safe and healthy environment. The families and communities that nurture them need access to the supports and services that ensure that environment is possible.

Australia’s first National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (the Strategy) provides the framework and foundations for lifelong mental health and wellbeing to be built during childhood, with a whole-of-community approach.

Good mental health and wellbeing enables children to reach their full potential, experience fulfilling relationships, and adapt and cope with challenging circumstances. We know that mental health challenges often begin during childhood and if left unattended they can lead to poor outcomes in adulthood. Early intervention and prevention, with a focus on children and their families, is key to improving positive lifelong mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

The Strategy provides a long-term vision for how Australia can support the mental health and wellbeing of all children, improving outcomes by embracing the breadth of challenges and the unique life journey of each child.