COUNSELLING services for children will be expanded, hospital-based services for young people improved and more support to community providers to deliver early intervention programs are part of the $3 million youth-focused mental health initiatives to be confirmed in tomorrow’s ACT Budget. 

This funding will expand the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Consultation Liaison Service within the Canberra Hospital to operate seven days a week.

The CAMHS Consultation Liaison Service provides assessment and referrals to appropriate mental health services. CAMHS clinicians also work closely with families and carers to provide information and advice to support admitted adolescents.

The $3 million includes $1.17 million to expand the CAMHS Primary School Intervention Program, enhancing case management and co-ordination of support services for primary school children aged 5 to 12 years. It will provide more counselling services to primary school-aged children showing early signs of common mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety and body image issues. 

The new funding will provide assessments for about 150 primary school children who could benefit from early intervention counselling, access for up to 90 children to participate in a social emotional program, as well as single session intervention counselling to 60 parents whose children are also receiving these services.

The $3 million also includes $400,000 to the headspace program to provide mental health services to young people aged between 18 and 25 years who are experiencing a mild to moderate mental health condition.