Section 8: Supporting children’s mental health 8.4 Who would children go to for help should they need it? 8.5 Children’s preferred mode of receiving formal support services Children were asked to select the top three people they would go to for help if they felt down, scared or worried. 3,352 children provided responses to this question. The top three selected answers were: Children were asked how they would be most comfortable getting help if they needed it. 38% of children stated ‘in person’ would be their preferred method of seeking help. Children were less likely to indicate they would be most comfortable with online and over the phone options. 1. Parent Figure 28: Children’s survey: how would you be most comfortable seeking help? 2. A friend of mine 3. Sibling These answers were relatively consistent across different groups. Figure 27: Children’s survey: who are the top three people you would ask for help if you felt down, scared or worried? select three answers 1131 Sibling (brother or sister) Another family member (like a grandparent, cousin, aunt or uncle) 1101 858 A school teacher 634 A family friend 359 Someone else 3% 3% 6% 10% I nee de do help not ne on one o ver the phone. 263 204 170 People known to children, such as family members, friends and teachers, were more likely to be chosen than external support services including school counsellors, a family doctor or help services. These selections were consistent for children irrespective of where they lived. 100 | 13% Free-text responses articulated some children’s reluctance to use online or over the phone options for mental health support: 300 Guardian or carer Family Doctor (GP) In person (n=1745) Over the phone (n=152) Online, with a written chat (n=472) Online, with a video call (n=253) Another way (n=123) I don’t know (n=578) Did not answer question (n=1236) 1978 A friend of mine A help service like Kids Helpline or ReachOut 38% 2849 Parent School counsellor or support worker 27% In free-text responses, the most common services and supports reported by children, aside from the support of their parents/ guardians and grandparents, were school counsellors and wellbeing officers, private psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, occupational therapists, family support workers and participation in wellbeing programs for specific emotions and behaviours. e to so meon lk a t o t d line I nee de to do it on d e s u f e r but I e part of th s a w t a h t as e nee de d th problem. I hate d act an d I t n o c n a m hu port. online sup SW d 16–17, N —Boy, age —Girl, a ged 14– 15, VIC see e d to t d e e n I is cholog my psy n’t like do son. I r e p n i alth. a telehe 1, with ed 9–1 C —Boy, ag ity, VI disabil ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 101