As both major parties pitch big mental health investments ahead of the federal election, frontline professionals have said they are still waiting for policies that target young children, where the need is most urgent.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Labor’s $1 billion mental health plan whilst campaigning in Western Sydney.
The package includes 58 new or expanded Headspace centres, 31 new or upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres, and 20 youth specialist clinics.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has also pledged a $400 million boost to mental health services.
But despite these high-dollar announcements, early childhood mental health remains a “missing layer” in both plans, according to Childhood and Early Coordinated Care counsellor, Jessica Beattie.
“I see a gap. The gap is in the waiting time for clinicians that is significantly worse for children in need of mental health care and diagnosis than other age groups,” Miss Beattie said.
“It’s so hard to get in anywhere for children. There just aren’t as many child-centric clinics and psychologists available.”
Miss Beattie said most school psychologists and counsellors are only available one or two days a week, stretched thin across behaviour management, assessments, and school-related crisis support.
“There’s kind of this view that kids can just get support at school,” she said.
“But most schools don’t have the capacity. They’re trying, but it’s not enough.”
Source: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
Data published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health and led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found that one in seven Australian children have a mental health disorder, but only half have accessed professional support.
Evidence has shown that one-third of clinics were closed to new referrals, that wait times averaged more than a month, and appointment costs ranged from $85 to $176.
Source: Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
The National Mental Health Commission has also reported that 50 per cent of all adult mental illnesses begin before the age of 14, despite evidence that the first 2,000 days of life are critical for healthy development.
Miss Beattie said the findings show why early intervention should be a priority in mental health policy, and a focus for both major parties in their campaigns.
“It can actually be worse for kids than adults when they’re stuck on waitlists,” Miss Beattie said.
“Adults usually have some coping skills or access to support systems. Kids don’t always have the words, or even know what they’re feeling, or that help exists at all.”
Findings from Mission Australia’s 2024 Youth Survey showed that health professionals were among the last places young people turned to for help.
Source: Mission Australia, Annual Youth Survey 2024
Miss Beattie said that if early intervention was prioritised, it could reshape thinking patterns more effectively than interventions later in life.
“Brains are like plastic. This plastic is more bendable, flexible and responsive during childhood,” she said.
“Young people have greater neuroplasticity, so when they receive help early, they can take in new ways of thinking more deeply, and those patterns often stay with them for life.”
For families like hers, Miss Beattie said mental health policy will be front of mind at the ballot box.
“I’ll be voting for whatever gives my kids the best opportunities and the funding they need,” she said.
