Anne Hollonds National Children's Commissioner Australian Human Rights Commission Foreword by the National Children’s Commissioner For over two years, children in Australia and their families have been experiencing unparalleled levels of uncertainty and disruption in their lives, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. While the impact of the ‘long tail’ of COVID-19 on children and their families is yet to be fully understood, its potential to adversely affect mental health and wellbeing was recognised early in the trajectory of the pandemic, especially for those already experiencing challenges in their lives. Research indicates that child and adolescent mental illness has increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some experts warning that the impacts on mental health and wellbeing may be long lasting. The United Nations identified children and adolescents as a priority group early in the pandemic, calling for tailored attention to their mental health. It also recommended that all countries plan a response to the mental health consequences of the pandemic. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recognised that these plans should be driven by community consultation and leverage the views of young people. Despite being nearly a quarter of the Australian population, the voices and views of children in Australia are largely overlooked by decision-makers. The past two years have brought this into sharp focus, with children too often being an ‘afterthought’ in pandemic policymaking that has affected them directly and indirectly. As we move forward from the pandemic, the Australian Government, along with states and territories, has the opportunity to listen to the voices of children and elevate children’s wellbeing as a national policy priority in the future. I would like to see the current momentum and interest in children’s mental health be a catalyst for evidence-informed policy and systems change. Thank you to all the children, young people, parents, guardians and grandparents who shared their experiences and insights so that our policy and service systems can be improved. Anne Hollonds National Children’s Commissioner ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids wellbeing • 2022 | 11