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Short article
Child mental health literacy: What is it and why is it important?
Lucy TullyOver the past 20 years, Australia has emerged as a leader in campaigns that have focused on increasing mental health literacy, particularly for adult/adolescent depression and anxiety disorders. But what about child mental health literacy, which refers to adult knowledge and beliefs about mental health problems for children under 12 years of age? Aside from the recent work of the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health (NWCCMH) and beyondblue's Be You initiative, there has been a noticeable lack of focus on child mental health literacy both in Australia and internationally. -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: January 2020
Prepared by AIFSThis January research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for that month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided. -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: December 2019
Prepared by AIFSThis December research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for that month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided. -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: February 2024
Prepared by AIFSThis February 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided. -
Webinar
Supporting family and child mental health in the face of severe weather events and disasters
Child Family Community Australia & Emerging MindsCo-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar explores the complex interplay of factors that can support or disrupt the wellbeing of whole families following a severe weather event or disaster, and how these factors in turn affect infant and child mental health. -
Practice paper
Recognising and strengthening the stories of children in care
Nicole Rollbusch and Dan MossThis paper identifies practical ways professionals working with children who are in care can bring children’s histories to life in ways that support their sense of identity and confidence, even when children’s experiences with their birth families included trauma or neglect. -
Practice paper
Understanding the mental health and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care
Hilary Miller and Kristel Alla, Australian Institute of Family StudiesThis resource briefly explores mental health and wellbeing outcomes and experiences of children in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Australia. It includes information on how feeling safe, receiving information about their care and decisions impacting them, and maintaining relationships with important people can bolster the mental health of children in care. -
Short article
How fathers’ warm and responsive parenting can support child mental health
Melissa Willoughby (AIFS), Cat Strawa (AIFS), Vincent Mancini (Telethon Kids Institute, UWA and The Fathering Project) & Hilary Miller (AIFS)This resource will explore the evidence on how fathers can positively influence their child’s mental health through warm and responsive parenting. -
Short article
How fathers can support child mental health through setting limits and managing behaviour
Melissa Willoughby (AIFS), Cat Strawa (AIFS) & Vincent Mancini (Telethon Kids Institute, UWA and The Fathering Project)This resource outlines how fathers’ approaches to setting limits and managing behaviour can affect child mental health. It also provides considerations for practitioners to support effective practice with fathers and other caregivers. -
Practice paper
How fathers’ positive engagement and caregiving can support child mental health
Melissa Willoughby (AIFS), Cat Strawa (AIFS) & Vincent Mancini (Telethon Kids Institute, UWA and The Fathering Project)This resource explores the evidence on how fathers can influence their child’s mental health and wellbeing through positively engaging with, and caring for, their child. -
Guide
How fathers can positively influence children’s mental health through play
Melissa Willoughby (AIFS), Mandy Truong (AIFS), Cat Strawa (AIFS) & Vincent Mancini (Telethon Kids Institute, UWA and The Fathering Project)This resource outlines how practitioners can support positive child development and mental health by encouraging child–father play. -
Fact sheet
Skills for navigating services
Emerging MindsThis fact sheet includes skills and ideas shared by people who have accessed services to get what they need for their children and families while trying to maintain their dignity.