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

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

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

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. The practice skills required to effectively engage and connect with young children and their families, and related practice challenges are also discussed.

Discover more resources

Webinar

Engaging with parents and infants in the first thousand days

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)

This webinar features a facilitated interdisciplinary panel discussion of a case study. The panel includes Dr Nick Kowalenko (psychiatrist), Mandy Seyfang (OT/Infant mental health therapist) and Jonathon Main (Relationships Australia). Dan Moss, Emerging Minds’ Workforce Development Manager facilitates the discussion.
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.
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.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: March 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This March 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

Understanding and supporting parental reflective confidence

Nicole Rollbusch

All parents reflect on the needs of their children. But time, opportunity or confidence to do this is limited for some parents. Practitioners can play a vital role in supporting parents to strengthen their reflective confidence.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: February 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This February 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.
Webinar

Supporting non-offending parents after child sexual abuse

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) this webinar outlines some strategies that you can use to support non-offending parents following a child's disclosure of sexual abuse.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: December 2024 to January 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This December 2024 and January 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.

This resource is part of the following toolkits

GP toolkit

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Toolkit Sections:

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

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

Discover more resources

Engaging with parents and infants in the first thousand days

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

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

Highlights in child mental health research: March 2025

Understanding and supporting parental reflective confidence

Highlights in child mental health research: February 2025

Supporting non-offending parents after child sexual abuse

Highlights in child mental health research: December 2024 to January 2025

This resource is part of the following toolkits

GP toolkit

Toolkit Sections:

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