Researchers from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research will lead a comprehensive national survey of the mental health of Australia's children.
The 2nd Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being will take place between May and September 2013, gathering information about the mental health status of approximately 5000 children aged between 4-17 years from across Australia.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, the $6 million study is the first national survey of its type in 15 years and will be headed by University of Western Australia Professors Stephen Zubrick and David Lawrence.
The work will be undertaken in collaboration with Professor Michael Sawyer from the University of Adelaide and Dr John Ainley from the Australian Council for Educational Research.
Professor Lawrence said the study will provide valuable new information on emotional and behavioural problems in children in a new millennium.
"Australia's population has grown and changed substantially in that time and these are children of very different times," said Professor Lawrence.
"Not only does the economy, family life and opportunities and expectations of children and young people change with time, these are very much children of the electronic age and we need to understand the impact of that.
"We have benchmark information from the first study 15 years ago and this survey will allow us to understand how the mental health of our young people has fared over time."
Professor Zubrick said the study will also allow an assessment of how current mental health policies are meeting the needs of Australian children and young people.
"Surveys like this are important in answering questions such as whether we are doing enough in terms of mental illness prevention programs, in promoting mentally healthy development in communities, families and individuals. Are we ensuring children and young people who need treatment are able to receive it and that we are delivering care where it is needed to those who need it most?" said Professor Zubrick.
"This survey will provide new information to allow appropriate policies and planning and to enable families and communities to better respond to need and to better implement promotion and prevention strategies."
The study team from the Telethon Institute has previously directed other major child health studies including the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey, the largest and most comprehensive study of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal children ever undertaken, as well as the WA Child Health Survey.
Professor Zubrick is also Chairman of the Consortium Advisory Group for the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a major study following the development of 10,000 children and families from all parts of Australia.
Participation in the survey is voluntary and with consent.
--ends--