Section 8: Supporting children’s mental health Stakeholders participating in the roundtables confirmed the long wait lists and difficulties for children and families accessing mental health services during the pandemic. One stakeholder pointed out the limited availability of services and supports to meet children’s mental health needs, potentially increasing their feelings of hopelessness. This is consistent with consultations conducted for the Keeping Kids Safe and Well report with children and families, where it was a clearly identified barrier.47 Cost was raised primarily by parents, in particular the high cost of accessing psychologists. A few children also spoke about lack of money to pay for mental health specialists. Children also reported that they were unable to access their usual mental health services and supports. In some cases, this was because their psychologist or counsellor had suspended services, rescheduled appointments, or changed their way of delivering services, which made it harder for them to access.48 The main barriers identified in this survey are consistent with barriers discussed in consultations for the AHRC’s Keeping Kids Safe and Well report.44 In this report, many families reported difficulties navigating a fragmented, costly and complex service system. They often faced long waiting lists for assessment and treatment unless they were at a crisis point.45 Addressing the inequity and fragmentation of mental health service provision is also one of the priorities of the new National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for children under 12 years of age.46 Parents/guardians and grandparents who indicated that their children were currently or had previously received help were asked what made it easier to get help for their child. The cost of getting help for mental health and wellbeing was frequently raised by both children, and parents/guardians and grandparents in free-text responses. 199 parents/guardians and grandparents provided a response to this question. From a list of multiple options, the top three enabling factors for getting help for their child were: (b) Supports for getting help 1. My child’s willingness to get help 2. Feeling supported by my child’s school 3. A GP referral Figure 26: Parents/guardians and grandparent’s survey: what made it easier for you to get help for your child? select all that apply 65 My child's willingness to get help Feeling supported by my child's school 64 60 A GP referral 53 Something else Online/flexible options such as telehealth, Zoom or webchat 52 45 Bulk-billing options available Ability to afford gap-payments or additional service fees 33 Access to free counselling services (e.g. headspace, Lifeline, etc.) 32 27 Little travel required to get help Easy to get an appointment or no wait time 19 Being encouraged by friends, family or community members to get help 18 Had heard about a particular service before 18 Free-text responses showed that parents tend to be the primary conduit for connecting many children, in particular younger children, to services and support. In many cases, this involved conversations with school staff, who then supported parents in the process of getting help for their child. When seeking help outside of school, most parents/guardians and grandparents reported initiating the process of help-seeking through their GP or family doctor. Some parents/ guardians and grandparents had arranged mental health support for their child during the pandemic, to ensure they were well supported during this unsettling period: 98 | I ar ran ge check in d a w child ps ycholog ith a is en d of t at th 20 e w ith Co 21 to co pe vi anxietie d relate d s. —Moth er, NSW ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 99