Learn more about why we need a Minister for Children and the key actions we're calling for to champion the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children.
We are calling for bipartisan support to prioritise the health and wellbeing of children to ensure there is adequate focus and funding to address the growing crisis in our kids' mental health and wellbeing.
An estimated 25-50% of adult mental illness can be prevented through early intervention during childhood and adolescence5.
Our kids need support to recover from the profound impacts of the pandemic, and to adequately prepare them with the skills to thrive amidst climate crisis, economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and global instability.
Half of all adult mental health conditions first emerge before the age of 143, and over the past 15 years, the number of young people experiencing mental ill-health has grown by 50%4.
Without significant change, the number of Australians experiencing mental ill-health will continue to grow, placing more pressure on an already overburdened system.
Together, we can transform children’s mental health and wellbeing so that every mind has the chance to thrive.
Mental wellbeing is an asset for life, and the foundations for good mental health begins in childhood – we need to increase our focus on promoting and protecting children’s mental wellbeing. If we do so, we’ll see the benefits as children grow into adolescence and adulthood.
Right now, Australian children's mental health and wellbeing is deteriorating at alarming rates.
Currently children's health and wellbeing is not a national priority. There is no direct government accountability for cross-portfolio leadership and co-ordination to ensure the unique and specific needs of Australian children are elevated and as a result, our youngest and most vulnerable are falling through the cracks.
Currently children's health and wellbeing is not a national priority. There is no direct government accountability for cross-portfolio leadership and co-ordination to ensure the unique and specific needs of Australian children are elevated.
A cabinet-level Minister for Children would advocate and work across all policy areas affecting children and their families, with a focus on advancing the overall health and wellbeing of Australian children.
Our Kids Count – is seeking your support to champion the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children, we’re calling for five key actions:
Appoint a federal Minister for Children to advocate for the specific needs of children across policy areas federally.
Raise government investment in the primary prevention of mental illness to 5% of all mental health expenditure to promote mental wellbeing.
Prioritise children’s mental health and wellbeing with the funded implementation of The National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Deliver a regular, nation-wide survey of Australian children’s mental health to support effective decision making and service design and delivery.
Launch a National Children’s Mental Health Day as part of Australia’s National Children’s Week (Children's Week 2023 will be held between 21 October – 29 October 2023, aligning with Mental Health Awareness Month), to elevate the voices and stories of children within our national mental health awareness agenda.
More than 11,000 people from across Australia have joined our call for a Minister For Children to ensure children are adequately represented to turn this crisis around. On 30 November 2023, this collective call was heard at Parliament. To help reinforce the need for representation of kids’ mental health, we encourage our community to share the Our Kids Count report and calls to action to ensure that the Government knows that Australians and their families want action, and we believe the time is now to turn the childhood mental health crisis around.
We are inspired every day by the amazing Smiling Mind community for getting this far. Together, we can help ensure that every mind has the chance to thrive.
Do you represent an organisation supporting Australian children?
Complete this form to nominate how you’d like to support the ‘Our Kids Count’ campaign
Smiling Mind is creating a generational change in mental health. Our tools and programs cultivate lifelong skills to promote mental fitness, as an integral part of people's everyday lives. Our vision is to create positive, transformative change in the way Aussies think, feel, talk about, and nurture our mental health.
Whether you’re a parent, carer, educator, or a professional supporting children and families, you’ll find a range of resources and tools to help children grow the skills known to build mental fitness and support positive mental wellbeing.
