To mark Psychology Week 2022, we have today released the findings of an APS survey exploring the psychological health and wellbeing of children and adolescents in Australia.
The survey of more than one thousand Australian psychologists paints a concerning picture of the social, psychological and developmental health of young people in our country.
You have told us you are seeing a shocking increase in mental illness in children as young as 18 months and as old as 18 years, compared with just two years ago.
In the survey we asked you to list the presenting issues in your young patients compared with two years prior. Patients were grouped into three age categories: 18 months to 5 years, 6-12 years, and 13-18 years.
All three age groups showed significant increases in mental illness and disorders across a range of symptoms. We are particularly concerned by the reported increase in presentations to psychologists in the youngest age group (18 months to 5 years).
What you told us
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The youngest age group (18 months to 5 years) have shown a sharp increase in Separation Anxiety Disorder (36% increase over two years), ADHD (27%), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (26%), Autism Spectrum Disorder (25%) and sleep concerns (23%).
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Children aged 6-12 also showed a sharp rise in several mental illnesses and symptoms with Social Anxiety Disorder (45%), ADHD (42%), peer relationship difficulties (39%), problematic screen use (36%) and educational and learning concerns (35%) the five largest increases.
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The oldest age group (13-18) displayed the highest increases across the most symptoms and illnesses, with Depression (65%), Social Anxiety Disorder (60%), General Anxiety Disorder (60%), suicidality or self-harm (50%) and peer relationship difficulties (48%) reported most by psychologists.
These results are startling and show that Australia risks sleepwalking into a social and economic disaster unless we act decisively.
What we want to see
We asked you what federal and state governments should do to address this crisis, and you called for several items that align with existing APS advocacy work. We will continue to drive positive change for the psychological health and wellbeing of young Australians through increased access and support for children, their families and their teachers and carers.
Investing in Australia’s future
Our key areas of advocacy focus are:
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Making the existing 20 Medicare sessions a permanent part of the Better Access program
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More investment to grow the psychology workforce by increasing university places
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Creating a psychologist to student ratio of 1:500 for all public, private and independent schools
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Additional investment in perinatal services, and
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Allowing parents to access subsidised psychological sessions, without their child present.
As psychologists, we know that our youngest patients don’t get a second chance to relive their childhood and develop into a mentally healthy and capable adult. As a community, we cannot accept living in a country where 18-month-old children are presenting to clinics with serious mental health issues.
While for many adults the pandemic is becoming a distant memory, its affects continue to devastate children across the country. Combined with climate change, natural disasters and cost of living stress for families, children have never needed mental health support more than they do now.
Thank you
Thank you to our members who took part in the survey. We appreciate the time you took to share your experience, expertise, and concerns, helping us bring awareness to the pressing issues facing Australian children and their families.
Our profession has been on the frontline of an incredibly challenging time in our nation’s history, and we believe the impact of these events on children and adolescents cannot be underestimated. Thank you to all our members for your continued dedicated efforts supporting Australian children and their families. We are constantly inspired by the incredible contribution APS members make to our valued profession and discipline.