A whole child approach to disaster recovery

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), Australia, December 2024

Related to Bushfires, Child mental health, Disasters, Drought, Floods, Preparing for natural disasters, Resilience, Responding to traumatic events

Co-produced by the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN), our panel of experts explore ways to support infants and children following a disaster.

Facilitated by Jacquie Lee (Practice Development Officer, Emerging Minds), the panel includes:
– Christopher Gostelow (psychologist)
– Tayla lellamo (occupational therapist)
– Sarnia Ralston (child and family partner).

Case study Panel bios Supporting resources Slides

Discover more resources

Families Podcast

Families who have experienced disasters (part one): Age-appropriate supports for children

Heather

Runtime

00:29:54

Released

17/6/24
Families Podcast

Families who have experienced disasters (part two): Being prepared

Sarnia

Runtime

00:27:52

Released

15/7/24
Families Podcast

Families who have experienced disasters (part three): What happens when you lose your home

Bron

Runtime

00:36:46

Released

12/8/24
Families Podcast

Families who have experienced disasters (part four): How to support children and young people after a disaster

Willow

Runtime

00:25:23

Released

21/10/24
Online Course

Supporting children and families in general practice after a natural disaster or community trauma

Online Course

This course was developed in response to the growing number of Australian families who are impacted by natural disasters or community trauma.
Webinar

Beginning child aware conversations with parents who use substances

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)

In this webinar with the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN), our multidisciplinary panel will explore and identify reasons that may underlie school attendance difficulties. This presentation will promote the value of partnership-based, trauma-informed strategies to support a contextualised understanding of each child’s unique needs in education settings.
Short article

Self-harm in primary school-aged children

Dr Laura Gobey, Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)

This article provides a summary of the research evidence on self-harm behaviours in primary school-aged children. It outlines what self-harm behaviours are, how common they are, and why primary school-aged children may be self-harming.
Webinar

Towards a comprehensive child mental health system: Exploring workforce availability

Emerging Minds

This webinar is intended for organisational and systems leaders across the health, education, social and community services sectors, as well as practitioners with an interest in workforce development.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: September 2025

Prepared by AIFS

The August 2025 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis that presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Resource summary

Resources for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

These resources explore how non-Indigenous practitioners and services can develop genuine connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to create the best conditions for effective service delivery; services based on respect, learning and creating shared understandings.
Resource summary

Resources for supporting infants and children in disasters

This practice guide is a series of resources on child-centred and family-focused approaches in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It aims to equip you with foundational knowledge and evidence-informed approaches to support infants, children and their families during and after disasters, and promote their long-term healing and wellbeing.
Resource summary

GP resources

See all the accredited online courses, assessment tools, webinars, podcasts and family digital health resources Emerging Minds offers to support general practitioners/GPs in supporting children’s mental health from birth through to age 12 years.

A whole child approach to disaster recovery

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), Australia, December 2024

Discover more resources

Families who have experienced disasters (part one): Age-appropriate supports for children

Families who have experienced disasters (part two): Being prepared

Families who have experienced disasters (part three): What happens when you lose your home

Families who have experienced disasters (part four): How to support children and young people after a disaster

Supporting children and families in general practice after a natural disaster or community trauma

Beginning child aware conversations with parents who use substances

Self-harm in primary school-aged children

Towards a comprehensive child mental health system: Exploring workforce availability

Highlights in child mental health research: September 2025

Resources for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

Resources for supporting infants and children in disasters

GP resources