3 hours

Foundations in child mental health

About the course

This course brings together the essential foundations of child mental health and the core understandings of trauma and adversity. It explores the mental health and wellbeing of children aged 0–12 years, and introduces the key developmental, relational, and environmental factors that shape their social and emotional outcomes.

You will learn how different parts of a child’s world interact to influence their wellbeing — including their relationships with parents and caregivers, their experiences at home and in the community, and the broader contexts in which they live. The course also introduces the ways that trauma and adversity can affect children, how children may respond to these experiences, and the factors that support their recovery.

Throughout the modules, you will be invited to reflect on the foundational importance of children’s relationships with their caregivers, the circumstances that may strengthen or strain these relationships, and how a trauma-sensitive approach can be integrated into your everyday work with children and families.

Modules

What is child mental health?

What is trauma and adversity?

Note

Therapeutic work with children who have experienced trauma requires specialised training, and should be undertaken by suitably skilled professionals.

If you are concerned about the recovery of a child from trauma or adversity, you may wish to encourage the parents to contact their GP.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the factors that shape children’s mental health and wellbeing. It is suitable for professionals, volunteers, families, carers, community workers, and others who work with, or care for, children and who want to strengthen their knowledge of child development, relationships, adversity, and the contexts that influence children’s social and emotional outcomes.

The course provides a broad introduction to child mental health and the impacts of trauma and adversity. While it explores the principles of a trauma-informed approach, it does not cover trauma-specific or therapeutic interventions. Therapeutic work with children who are experiencing mental health concerns or recovering from trauma requires specialised skills and should be undertaken by appropriately trained professionals.

If you are concerned about a child’s mental health or their recovery from trauma or adversity, you may wish to encourage their parents or caregivers to contact their GP.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

describe the key factors that contribute to children’s mental health and wellbeing
identify the interconnected relational, social, and environmental influences that shape children’s development
recognise that children’s mental health exists on a continuum, from positive wellbeing to the presence of mental health concerns
explain the central role of parent–child and caregiver relationships, and how parental circumstances, behaviours, and a child’s inner emotional world interact
describe how mental health difficulties may present in children, noting how these presentations can differ from adults
describe what is meant by trauma and adversity, and the different ways children may experience these
explain the potential impacts of trauma and adversity on children’s emotions, relationships, behaviour, and development
recognise a range of responses children may show following trauma or adversity
identify the factors that support children’s and families’ recovery from trauma
explain why a trauma-informed approach is important when supporting children and their caregivers

Learning pathway

This is a foundation course for all of Emerging Minds online courses, and will provide you with key understandings that will support your engagement with any of the areas that you choose to pursue with Emerging Minds resources.

Self-care

This course features videos of fictional parents and family scenarios. As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please follow the self-care tips below and seek help if needed:

We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks. Even if you don’t feel that you need a break, it’s a good idea to take one anyway and come back later.
Be aware of your emotions as you progress through the course, and take action if you are starting to feel stressed or upset. For example, consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy.
Be aware of your emotional responses after you complete the course.

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or SANE Australia on 1800 18 7263.

Definitions

For the purpose of this course, the term ‘parent’ encompasses the biological and adoptive parents of a child as well as individuals who have chosen to take up a primary or shared responsibility in raising that child.

'Social and emotional wellbeing' refers to the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and others. It incorporates behavioural and emotional strengths. It is integral to child development.¹

In broad terms, social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a holistic concept which results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and Community. It also recognises the importance of connection to Land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.²

'Social and emotional development’ involves the development of skills required to:

identify and understand one’s feelings
read and understand the emotional states of other people
manage strong emotions and how they are expressed
regulate behaviour
develop empathy
establish and maintain relationships.³

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2012). Social and emotional wellbeing: development of a Children’s Headline Indicator. Cat. no. PHE 158. Canberra: AIHW.
Commonwealth of Australia. (2017). National strategic framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. Canberra: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, p.6.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. A picture of Australia’s children 2009. Cat. no. PHE 112. Canberra: AIHW.