Children as young as 4 and 5 are experiencing anxiety and levels of depression higher than we have ever seen.

About 1 in 7 children between the ages of 4 and 17 have experienced a mental health issue in Australia. 50% of diagnosable mental illnesses begin to emerge between the ages of 11 and 14.

The prevalence of mental health issues among our youth is increasing. Some of the common issues that young people face include bullying, worry or anxiety, relationship problems and body issues. Social and emotional learning is integral to the overall development of children, highlighting the importance of youth mental health in building resilience and helping them to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives as adults.

Despite the range of factors known to influence mental health, evidence for effective interventions for children and youth is lacking, which is why this must be a paramount focus in our community.

The projects that we fund intends to inform future intervention development to support the mental health of our children. By engaging and listening to the experiences of young people, our approach means that the identified priorities are  relevant to young people’s needs.

BIG TALKS  
FOR LITTLE PEOPLE

PROFESSOR OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT
MENTAL HEALTH

EATING DISORDER
INITIATIVE