Looking after your child’s mental health

Everyone can feel sad, angry or upset sometimes, including children. If your child feels like this most of the time, they may need help.

Find out more about mental health problems in children on the Raising Children website.

Helping your child

If you notice your child’s mood or behaviour changes, there are things you can do to help. 

You can:

• encourage them to talk about their feelings
• acknowledge it’s ok to feel worried, stressed or sad sometimes
• make time to talk to them and listen to what they’re saying
• enjoy time with your child doing activities they like, such as reading together, kicking a ball or drawing
• praise good behaviour
• support them when something is bothering them and work with their teacher to develop a solution if the problem is at school.

Find out more about good mental health for children on the Raising Children website.

Getting help 

You can get professional help for your child’s mental health through:

• your child’s teacher
• school counsellors
• your GP
• a psychologist or counsellor
• a mental health social worker
• your community health centre
• your local mental health service.

If your child is 5 years or older, they can call the Kids Helpline to talk to a counsellor.

Services that can help

You can get help and advice.