New data shows Aussie kids are in the midst of a mental health crisis

New data shows Aussie kids are embracing the US therapy trend with a staggering more than one in three seeking professional support from a counsellor or psychologist.

Rates of youth anxiety and depression are on the rise in Australia with suicide now the leading cause of death 15 to 24-year-olds. Picture: iStock

Exclusive new data shows Aussie kids are embracing the US therapy trend with a staggering more than one in three seeking professional support from a counsellor or psychologist.

News Corp Australia’s newly-released Great Australian Parent Survey finds 36.9 per cent of young people have visited a mental health professional.

Leading psychologist Tom Nehmy says the results reflect the increased need for intervention with anxiety disorders, in particular, on the rise nationally but warns against viewing therapy as a magic fix.

“It’s completely reasonable that some young people will need to see a therapist but if everyone does, it reflects a collective failure of our society to psychologically prepare our kids for the rigours of life,” Dr Nehmy, widely recognised for his work in preventive psychology, said.

“Just putting more counsellors in schools is like recruiting more firefighters without asking anybody to clean their gutters … if resources were invested into the primary prevention of anxiety and other issues, we’d not need as many school counsellors and the kids would be better off.”

Tom Nehmy has a focus on preventive psychology.

Australian Psychological Society president Sara Quinn.

Australian Psychological Society president Sara Quinn, a practising clinical psychologist who has specialised in trauma and adolescents, describes statistics around youth mental health as “dire”.

Suicide is now the leading cause of death of young Australians aged 15 to 24 while one in seven children aged between four and 17 have received a mental health disorder diagnosis in the past year.

“It pains me to say it but we are in the middle of a youth mental health crisis … we’re seeing a lot of issues around body shape and weight – and cyber-bullying … significant anxiety, significant low mood,” Dr Quinn said.

Her association believes more psychologists in schools are part of the solution, lobbying for a “a ratio of one psychologist for every 500 students” as part of a series of reforms that include a youth safety net to Medicare, to make accessing psychology services more affordable for young people.

Founder of Developing Minds, clinical psychologist Kirrilie Smout.

Kirrilie Smout, who has spent much of her 25 years as a clinical psychologist working with young people and their families, says her Adelaide Developing Minds clinic is now supporting “around 200” families each week, consistent with the reported high demand.

“For most young people, getting professional help leads to positive outcomes … if you start to think when you are seven about how to ask for help and express your feelings, then you will be much better off than if you wait until you are 30,” she said.

The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) is calling for mental health nurses in schools to support students, their parents and teachers.

Most parents believe schools are doing a good job at supporting their child’s wellbeing (61 per cent compared to 10.3 per cent who disagree) but a quarter (25.8 per cent) remain undecided, according to the new survey.

Where old-school approach proves innovative

St Raphael's school principal Emma Fowler dons a ‘big bad wolf’ costume to read to young students. Picture: Brett Hartwig

An old-school approach is being used at one primary school to “prioritise wellbeing in the digital age”.

St Raphael’s Parkside principal Emma Fowler says “fostering a love of literature” is just one way her school is responding to screen time and rising mental health challenges.

Ms Fowler often dresses in costume to visit classrooms in and read to students.

“We are committed to addressing growing concerns surrounding screen time and its impact on students (and) as a school community, we are doing everything we can to support families in navigating this digital landscape,” she said.

St Raphael's Parkside principal Emma Fowler – out of costume. Picture: St Raphael’s website

“One of our commitments focuses on nurturing a genuine love of reading.

“Books offer a place to escape, reflect, and connect … stories help children understand that they are not alone in facing their challenges – others have walked similar paths, and literature offers both comfort and perspective.”

In addition, the Adelaide school employs a dedicated wellbeing officer to “work closely with students on friendship dynamics and social interactions”.

“A qualified counsellor is (also) available to provide support for more acute or traumatic experiences,” she said.

“In addition, social work placement students run lunchtime and breakfast clubs, creating safe spaces for children to talk about the challenges they’re facing.

“We also have occupational therapists on-site twice a week to assist students with emotional regulation – an area often affected by excessive screen use.”

Originally published as New data shows Aussie kids are in the midst of a mental health crisis