The ACT government has opened the doors of its community health centres to child psychologists in an initiative designed to improve access to free mental health care for Canberrans 12 years and under, but has fallen short of committing more funds to the service.
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Thanks to a partnership with the federal government-funded ACT Medicare Local, the ACT Government funded child and family centres in Gungahlin, West Belconnen and Tuggeranong will now offer mental health services for children through the Health in Mind program.
ACT Medicare Local Chair Dr Rashmi Sharma said the program was already offering support for children experiencing bullying, anxiety, symptoms of emerging depression or other mental health issues, but is currently offered at separate sites across Canberra.
"We all know the health budget is extremely tight at the moment that's why we're saying as Medicare Local we have this service available let's make sure we target it to the right population and actually utilise services already in town to make it more cost effective," she said.
Dr Sharma said bringing the program into the child and family centres would link psychological support for children with normal general practice and make it more accessible for the community – especially Canberrans who may not have transport.
"We know more and more if we can pick up issues early in a child's life like bullying or being depressed … it's extremely important because early intervention can make all the difference not only for the child… but also for the families who suffer considerable stress at times like this," she said.
Dr Sharma said there were cases of children under 10 self-harming.
"Childhood is changing … children as young as 10 may be using social media and we are seeing a lot of these changes in how they're expected to behave actually translating into stress for very young people who should just be enjoying themselves and growing up," she said.
"We can't underestimate the tension and stress the families go under … I've had patients where the parents have given up work to look after the children and there's cases where the children are too stressed to go school."
She said schools, childcare workers and parents were becoming more aware of mental health and seeking help when it was needed.
The service will also offer psychological services for expectant mothers and those with perinatal depression – helping to fight the stigma.
Minister for Children and Young People Mick Gentleman hailed the collaboration as a move towards the ACT Government's "single services system".
He said it was the first time mental health services for young people were offered in a "family-friendly suite".
"It recognises the partnership needed to have that whole of community focus especially for young people," he said.
"As community services minister we've been looking at early intervention and the means to help young people live better lives in the future."
