Infant and child mental health: Exploring, assessing and formulating

Emerging Minds and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), May 2022

Related to Child and family, Child mental health, Infant mental health

Gathering information as part of a biopsychosocial approach is a pre-existing and transferable skill that GPs can utilise in child mental health assessments. Based on a case study with a focus on practice, this webinar with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) explores the features of a biopsychosocial assessment and formulation with children aged 0-5, its importance in supporting child mental health and its contribution to mental health treatment planning. The panellists also responded to practice challenges raised by webinar participants.

Discover more resources

Webinar

Infant and early childhood mental health: Connecting with children and families

Emerging Minds and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

GPs play a crucial role in the mental health and wellbeing of infants and young children. Based on a case study with a focus on practice, this webinar explores key concepts and evidence of infant and early childhood mental health, and the importance of using a child-centred and family-focused approach.
Short article

An exploration of the use of family therapy in a Perinatal Infant Mental Health Service

Jessica White

This short article has been adapted from a paper: ‘Does a perinatal infant mental health team hold the family in mind? Opportunities and challenges for working systemically in this specialised field’, based on a small, qualitative study of perinatal infant mental health clinicians, that was recently published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapists.
Short article

Programs that support the mental health and wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents

Beth Thomas-Richards, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This article provides an overview of the types of programs available to support the mental health and wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents. It also outlines considerations for practitioners working with children requiring support.
Webinar

Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster webinar

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) will explore how to support workers who engage with children and families during and after disasters or severe weather events. It is intended for both managers and frontline practitioners.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: May 2025

Prepared by AIFS

The May 2025 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 that presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Guide

Mindframe: A guide for reporting on child and youth suicide

Everymind

This resource, developed by Everymind, has been developed to provide guidance on developing safe and sensitive public communications about child and youth suicide.
Webinar

What are infants telling us: From neonatal nursery care to supporting optimal infant development

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)

Co-produced with the Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), you'll hear from our multidisciplinary panel who explore the emotional and developmental impacts of preterm birth, highlight the importance of observing and responding to infant cues, and outline practical strategies to strengthen early relationships and support preterm infants' neurodevelopment and mental health in their first year.
Webinar

Understanding and responding to childhood suicidal ideation: A case scenario

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-presented with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar uses a case scenario to reflect on ethical considerations and practical strategies to help practitioners better understand and support children experiencing suicidal ideation. The panellists will also discuss how practitioners can foster connection, seek the child’s insights, and recognise the strengths of the child and their family.
Short article

The impact of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development

Dr Mandy Truong, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article provides an overview of the research evidence on the impacts of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development with a focus on children aged 12 years and under. It outlines the ways in which parental incarceration can impact child outcomes and provides some practice considerations for how practitioners and services can support children.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This April 2025 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.
Practice paper

Responding to childhood suicidal ideation through understanding and curiosity

Amanda Kemperman, Emerging Minds

Children, even at a very young age, can experience significant distress and despair that may lead them to think about suicide. This practice paper highlights the importance of listening and striving to understand children's thoughts, ideas and perspectives on the challenges they face.
Webinar

How to use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to support child mental health

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), join our panel of speakers as they explore how neurodivergent-affirming practice strategies support the mental health of autistic and ADHDer children.

This resource is part of the following toolkits

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Toolkit Sections:

Infant and child mental health: Exploring, assessing and formulating

Emerging Minds and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), May 2022

Discover more resources

Infant and early childhood mental health: Connecting with children and families

An exploration of the use of family therapy in a Perinatal Infant Mental Health Service

Programs that support the mental health and wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents

Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster webinar

Highlights in child mental health research: May 2025

Mindframe: A guide for reporting on child and youth suicide

What are infants telling us: From neonatal nursery care to supporting optimal infant development

Understanding and responding to childhood suicidal ideation: A case scenario

The impact of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2025

Responding to childhood suicidal ideation through understanding and curiosity

How to use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to support child mental health

This resource is part of the following toolkits

GP toolkit

Toolkit Sections:

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