Submission to NMHC on the National Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) is developing the first National Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy as part of the Australian Government's Long-Term National Health Plan. 

Generally, the Strategy provides a roadmap for bridging gaps and enhancing mental health and wellbeing responses for children from birth to 12 years of age.

The APS response expresses our support for the comprehensive strategy and suggests a range of enhancements, including:

• Improved use of psychologists and psychological science to fill critical services gaps, such as minimum ratios of psychologists in schools, utilising psychologists as care coordinators, and including psychologists in multidisciplinary assessment and treating teams
• Ensuring targeted communication strategies use inclusive language
• Amending governance and funding structures to support the required reform needed to ensure children receive help from the right professionals at the early point in their development.

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