Australians for Mental Health and the NSW Council of Social Services will urge governments to better understand and address the connection between childhood conditions and adult experiences of mental health, at a forum at NSW Parliament tonight.
On the back of groundbreaking research conducted earlier this year by the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre which found that childhood maltreatment in Australia causes up to 40 percent of common, life-long mental health conditions, the panel will examine the status quo for kids in NSW and make the case for early support for families and children.
Little Lives Adult Mind: nurturing kids for lifelong wellbeing (6:30pm – 8pm)
Wednesday 23 October 2023
Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament
The discussion will be hosted by Australians for Mental Health Executive Director, Chris Gambian, and feature the following expert guests:
- Cara Varian - Chief Executive Officer, NSW Council of Social Services
- Lauren Stracey – Children & Young People expert practitioner
- Lucy Grummitt, PhD - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Sydney Matilda Centre
“For all the talk of crisis in the mental health system and for young people in particular, we are not doing nearly enough to genuinely confront deep and longstanding social injustices, including poverty and discrimination, violence and child-maltreatment, that is fueling the mental harm Australians are experiencing” Gambian, said.
“This research is crucial in spotlighting how important it is to support mental health and wellbeing right from the start. We know that poor mental health in childhood can continue into adulthood without the right support, leading to anxiety, depression, poor emotional regulation and alcohol abuse,” said Cara Varian, CEO NSW Council of Social Services.
“We also know that children living below the poverty line are at greater risk and we need to focus on these children and their families.”
About Australians for Mental Health:
Australians for Mental Health was founded in 2014 by Prof Patrick McGorry to campaign for fundamental change in the way the country thinks and acts about mental health. Our mission is to ensure that Australia starts putting mental health at the heart of our national life.
Media contact: Simon Black at [email protected], or on 0420 488 219.