Section 8: Supporting children’s mental health
Of the parents/guardians and grandparents who
stated that it was hard to get help for their child
who had received help in the past or is currently
receiving help, the survey also asked them to
identify what these barriers looked like. From
a multiple-choice list, the top three barriers
selected were:
1. Not being able to get an appointment
or long waiting lists (n=279)
(my da d)
Because he
.
said not to
—Boy, aged
12–13, QLD
Finding available services and accessing them
in a timely manner during the pandemic
were frequently raised as significant barriers
by children, and parents/guardians and
grandparents. This was reported as an issue for
families across Australia but was especially an
issue for those living in country towns and rural
and remote areas:
2. Costs too much money (n=152)
3. Feeling scared or worried (n=81)
Free-text responses also provided some
additional insights into the barriers children
faced finding and accessing help. A commonly
expressed concern by children was the fear
of people finding out they were experiencing
problems and of being judged for that. This
included being judged by family members,
with some children reporting that their family
members also did not support them seeking
help:
help
o ut seeking
b
a
k
in
h
t
d
I did
fortable an
m
o
c
n
u
o
s
s
ause
but I wa
ything bec
n
a
o
d
o
t
s
d
anxio u
to be ju dge
t
n
a
w
t
’
n
id
Id
ugh
feel as tho
as
because I
o seek help
t
d
e
e
n
t
’
n
n
I do
it more tha
d
e
e
n
s
r
e
h
co uld
many ot
tho ught I
y
ll
a
ic
s
a
b
me. I
.
it by myself
h
g
u
o
r
h
t
t
ge
6–17, VIC
—Girl, aged
1
I nee de d to call
Lifeline
but my phone w
as taken
away by my pare
nts.
Other children said they lacked the courage or
confidence to ask for help or were too scared:
e
lp becaus
I nee d he
e
lon ly an d
lt
e
f
ly
t
n
r o ut
I rece
t my ange
le
o
t
d
e
d
nee
d to
to o scare
s
a
w
I
t
u
b
elp.
ask for h
, VIC
ed 12–13
—Girl, ag
We ha d f
amily pro
blems
so I didn’t
always fe
el
safe. I ne
e de d help
fro m
the police
but co uld
n’t
ask.
—Boy, ag
ed 12–13,
with a dis
ability, VIC
to go to
I nee de d
e
owever th
hospital, h ll an d I ha d
fu
n
place was
e receptio
h
t
in
p
e
ild
to sle
AMHS (Ch
C
il
t
n
u
m
ro o
tal
scent Men
le
o
d
A
d
or
n
a
ices) came
v
r
e
S
h
lt
Hea
ho me.
risk go ing
17, VIC
ed 16–
—Girl, ag
We ha
d
then w to wait an d
hen it
wa
turn, I
felt lik s my
to o lat
e it w
as
e.
—Boy,
aged 9
–11, N
SW
et
ficult to g
if
d
y
r
e
v
. Long
It was
lockdowns
g
in
r
u
d
help
es
an d ser vic
s
e
im
t
it
wa
pacity.
beyon d ca
VIC
Some children who already engaged with
mental health and wellbeing services struggled
to continue getting their regular help due to
restrictions and lockdowns:
I have
a supp
that I
o
wo uld rt worker
see
fortnig
h
not se tly that I c
o
e due
to lock uld
downs
.
—B
oy, age
d 14–1
5, VIC
y
o see m d
t
e
l
b
a
un
D an
I was
o COVI s.
t
e
u
d
ment
psych
appo int
s
s
e
l
riginal
ha d
11, Abo
–
der,
aged 9
it Islan D
a
r
—Boy,
t
S
s
e
Torr
y, QL
and/or ith a disabilit
w
I nee de d so meo
ne to check
in on me to ask
me if I’m
really okay.
—Girl, aged 9–
11, SA
—Mother,
—Girl, aged 16–1
7, VIC
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‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 97