Emerging Minds’ verbal submission at the Productivity Commission mental health public hearing, February 2020

This submission is Emerging Minds response to the Productivity Commission inquiry into mental health.

Emerging Minds welcomes the recommendations of the Productivity Commission in its Mental Health Draft Report, including the increasing attention to the mental health needs of children. This submission extends on the information provided in our previous submission, including direct feedback on specific recommendations outlined in the Draft Report.

Estimates of the prevalence of parental mental illness vary, but Australian research has found that up to one in four children are being raised by a parent with mental illness. Using data from the Parenting Today in Victoria study, this article explores how a parent's mental health relates to their parenting, finding that while parents with poor mental health are somewhat less likely to use positive parenting strategies, parental mental ill-health does not necessarily lead to poor parenting. With the right support at the right time, parents can help their children thrive.