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Practice paper
What is infant mental health, why is it important, and how can it be supported?
Dr Kristel Alla and Dr Trina Hinkley (AIFS)All infants experience mental health, and infancy is a critical time for children to build strong confidence and security in their environment, so that they can develop positive emotional, social, physical and mental health. This paper produced by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) aim to raise awareness in practitioners who work with infants and/or their caregivers and ways to support parents and caregivers when early signs of problems appear if their infant is struggling with their mental health. -
Webinar
Webinar | What is infant and child mental health and why is it important for all practitioners to think about it
Child Family Community Australia & Emerging MindsThis webinar featured Brad Morgan, Emerging Minds’ Director, and Helen Francis, Emerging Minds’ National to Local Manager, who described how Emerging Minds works across sectors to identify effective practice, and to support practice development that improves the early identification and prevention of child mental health issues. -
In focus
In focus: What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?
Emerging MindsPractitioners are in a unique position to provide support to parents and help plan for children's social and emotional development and mental health at the earliest possible stage. This resource aims to develop your knowledge about what is child mental health and how practitioners and health workers in both child and adult services can create opportunities for positive child mental health. -
Research highlight
Hearing babies’ voices through participatory arts
Prepared by AIFSA summary of Drury, Blaisdell, Matheson, & Ruckert-Fagan's 2025 exploration of how participatory arts can support babies’ right to be heard. -
Webinar
Identifying and responding to child sexual abuse: Supporting the mental health of children and young people
Child Family Community Australia & Emerging MindsThis webinar combines practice and lived experience to explore how we as a sector can better identify and respond to child sexual abuse and support victims and survivors to heal and recover. It is intended to complement ‘Trauma prevention and early intervention approaches with children and young people’ which was broadcast in September 2025. -
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. -
Guide
Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) -
Video
What is a child and family health nurse?
Emerging MindsLearn more about how a practice nurse can support you and your family. -
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 MindsThis 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 AIFSThe 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.