This paper investigates associations between key modifiable lifestyle behaviours (sleep; physical activity; fruit, vegetable and sugar sweetened beverage consumption; screen time; alcohol use and tobacco use) and mental health among early adolescents in Australia. It finds that while Australian Dietary, Movement and Alcohol Guidelines target...

This paper explores how the experiences of children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds can affect child mental health. It looks specifically at the experiences of parents and children who migrated to Australia for non-humanitarian reasons, such as work, education or family.

This report captures these experiences and provides recommendations for the meeting the mental health and wellbeing needs of children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Each recommendation related to the priority areas of the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan, as well...

When children experience domestic and family violence (DFV), it disrupts that right and can have long-lasting impacts on their health and wellbeing. This report sheds new light on DFV and children’s mental health, presenting findings from a population-based retrospective cohort study of children born in...

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far reaching consequences across the globe, not least being a substantial increase in mental health issues across diverse population groups. Australian governments at both federal and state level are cognisant of the magnitude of the problem. This report argues that...

This study examines access to and quality of public open space and young children’s mental health across eight Australian capital cities using a unique population linked dataset, the Australian Early Development Census—Built Environment.

This literature summary reviews key research studies that compare developmental, educational, health and wellbeing, and criminal justice outcomes for maltreated children who were placed in out-of-home care with those who remained with their birth families.

This research aims to contribute to a better understanding of the service needs of women and children impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly the role of recovery interventions in buffering the long-term effects of IPV on families and developing children.

This FACSIAR Summary highlights children’s difficulties with mental health with varying levels of contact with child protection services.

Evidence-based programs for separating families can provide practitioners in diverse sectors with information about 'what works'. This paper identifies the common elements of evidence-based parenting programs that support children's (aged 0-12 years) mental health through parental separation to inform the decisions practitioners make in their...

This strategy document uses four focus areas to outline the requirements for an effective system of care for children, and seeks to create a new, shared understanding of the roles of families, communities, services, and educators in promoting and supporting child mental health and wellbeing.

This report, by researchers from Mission Australia and the Black Dog Institute, reveals that substantially more young people in Australia are experiencing psychological distress than in 2012. The report also reveals that young people had higher odds of experiencing psychological distress if they identified as...

This report aims to shine a light on the everyday lives of regional, rural and remote young people, their strengths and challenges, their mental health, and the impact ReachOut has in improving their mental health and wellbeing.

This report examines the research and data across a range of young females' wellbeing measures, including physical health, mental health, education, social media and safety.

This report, commissioned by VicHealth, presents a rapid evidence synthesis on racism and child and youth health to inform policy, practice and research.

This strategy document recognises that Australians need a system that acts early to help people before mental health conditions and suicidal distress worsen. It also suggests that whole-of-government and whole-of-community changes are needed to deliver preventative, compassionate, and effective care.

This summary outlines the key findings from the research paper entitled, 'Mental disorders in children known to child protection services during early childhood.' It also discusses the implications of this research for policy and practice.

This report examines the types of COVID-19-related concerns that children and young people aged 5 to 25 years raised with Kids Helpline counsellors between January and the end of April 2020.

This Evidence to Action Note presents summary results from two state-wide surveys conducted in 2018 by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) (formerly Family and Community Services or FACS).

While the UK Government has taken strong actions to support firms and some workers, this paper argues that further measures are needed to support children and their families.

This report presents findings on the mental health of 465 justice-involved young people. Findings are drawn from a wider survey of the mental, sexual and reproductive health of young people (14–17 years old) in contact with the justice system conducted in Queensland and Western Australia...

Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) is Australia’s first nationally representative longitudinal study of child development. LSAC provides valuable data about children, their families and their wider environments, and enables researchers and policy makers to have a comprehensive understanding of...

This inquiry report examines the deaths by suicide of 35 children and young people within 12 months of their involvement in child protection over the period 1 April 2007–1 April 2019. The report highlights the chasm between formal, coercive child protection interventions, and a child...

The Productivity Commission estimates that mental ill-health and suicide are costing Australia up to $180 billion per year and treatment and services are not meeting community expectations. This report includes a comprehensive set of reforms to reorient the mental health system to close service gaps...

This report is one of the first Social Return on Investment (SROI) analyses to investigate the impact of the IYP Programme on Māori. It describes the SROI analysis of the Incredible Years Parenting (IYP) Programme delivered by Te Whānau o Waipareira in New Zealand.