The Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being
The 1998 Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing was the first national survey anywhere in the world to focus on the mental health of children and adolescents.
The survey found that mental health problems were relatively common. Since 1998, there have been substantial changes in the way mental health care is provided in Australia. There have been significant changes in people’s understanding of mental health.
A range of new programmes and services has been developed in the education and health sectors that provide information, support, and specialist help for young people and their families.
Programmes such as KidsMatter and Mind Matters promote mental health through the school environment. While each jurisdiction has taken its own approach, schools are generally providing higher levels of support, including access to specialist counselling
