How to Get Mental Health Support for Your Child

Common barriers and practical ways forward

1. Cost

Psychological care can involve consultation fees, travel, time away from work and additional costs for reports or collaboration with schools. It is not helpful to pretend these costs are minor. Australian data continue to show that cost prevents some people from receiving mental health care when they need it.

Before booking, ask for the consultation fee, possible Medicare rebate, expected out-of-pocket cost and any charges for reports, letters, school contact or late cancellation. A GP can discuss Medicare eligibility. You can also ask about public, community, school-based or low-cost services, although eligibility and waiting periods vary.

For regional, rural or remote families, BriteChild may also reduce indirect costs such as travel, accommodation and time away from work or school. Its membership includes discounted consultations, unlimited between-session questions and monthly parent webinars. Whether it offers better overall value depends on how your family expects to use the service, so compare the current BriteChild fees and inclusions before joining.

2. Waiting lists, distance and appointment times

Availability differs by service, location, clinician and the type of support required. If one provider has a long wait, ask whether they:

• Maintain a cancellation list.
• Offer a parent-only appointment sooner.
• Provide telehealth where clinically suitable.
• Can recommend another appropriately qualified professional.

It is reasonable to contact more than one provider. Avoid cancelling existing medical or crisis support while waiting for a psychology appointment.

3. Uncertainty about whether help is needed

Parents sometimes postpone seeking advice because they expect to arrive with a diagnosis or a complete explanation. That is not required. You can begin by describing what has changed, when it began, where it happens and how it affects everyday life.

A parent consultation can be a useful first step when you want guidance or are unsure whether your child should attend. At Quirky Kid, the first appointment may involve parents or carers, the child, or both, depending on the child’s age, needs and the purpose of the consultation.

4. Stigma or fear of judgement

Stigma has not disappeared. Recent Australian findings indicate that many young people still believe mental illness is stigmatised. Parents may also fear being blamed, misunderstood or viewed as overreacting.

A good psychologist should listen respectfully, explain their role and work collaboratively with the family. Asking for support is not an admission of poor parenting. It is a way of gathering expertise when a concern is affecting your child or family.

5. A previous unhelpful experience

An appointment that felt rushed, dismissive or poorly matched can make it difficult to try again. One clinician or service does not represent every form of psychological care.

Before starting again, consider what did not work. Was the approach unsuitable for your child’s age? Were the goals unclear? Did your child feel excluded? Was communication with parents insufficient? Sharing this information with a new psychologist can help establish a better approach.

Dr Kimberley O’Brien notes that finding the right psychologist for a family can take time. Fit does not mean agreeing about everything. It means that the family feels heard, the clinician can explain the approach clearly and everyone can work towards agreed goals.

6. Cultural, language or accessibility concerns

Families may reasonably worry that a clinician will not understand their culture, language, family structure, faith, disability or community context. Cultural misunderstandings and communication barriers can affect assessment, participation and trust.

You can ask a service about cultural experience, accessibility, interpreter arrangements and how family or community values will be incorporated into care. The psychologist should be open about the limits of their experience and willing to adapt or recommend a more suitable service when needed.

7. Your child does not want to attend

Reluctance can reflect fear, embarrassment, uncertainty, a previous experience or the belief that seeing a psychologist means something is wrong with them. Forcing the conversation may increase resistance.

Dr Kimberley recommends giving children an age-appropriate say in how support begins. Depending on their age and the concern, this might include:

• Explaining that a psychologist helps children and families understand difficult feelings, situations or behaviour.
• Letting them ask questions before the appointment.
• Offering limited choices, such as whether a parent stays for part of the session.
• Discussing what information may remain private and the limits of confidentiality.
• Beginning with a parent consultation if direct involvement is not yet necessary.

Children should not be promised complete secrecy. The psychologist will explain how privacy works, what may be shared with parents or carers and when safety or legal responsibilities require action.

What happens at the first appointment?

The first consultation is usually an opportunity to understand the concern rather than a test your family must pass. The psychologist may ask about your child’s strengths, development, health, family circumstances, learning, relationships and the situations in which the concern occurs.

Useful information can include:

• Examples of what you have noticed and when it began.
• Relevant medical, developmental or school information.
• Strategies you have already tried and what happened.
• Your child’s view, where they are able and willing to share it.
• What you and your child would like to be different.

The next step may be child therapy, parent guidance, school collaboration, a psychological assessment, monitoring or referral to another professional. A responsible clinician should explain the options and avoid promising a particular outcome.

How to choose a psychologist for your child

Before booking, consider asking:

• Do you regularly work with children of this age and with this type of concern?
• How do you involve parents or carers and the child?
• How will goals and progress be reviewed?
• What are the fees, likely rebates and additional charges?
• How do privacy and confidentiality work for a child?
• What happens if you believe another service would be more suitable?

All psychologists practising in Australia must hold registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Additional experience with children, families, schools or particular assessment and therapy approaches may also be relevant to your choice.

When help is urgent

If your child is in immediate danger, has seriously harmed themselves or someone else, or cannot be kept safe, call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. Kids Helpline provides free support for people aged 5 to 25. You can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for health advice. These services do not replace emergency care when there is immediate danger.

Take one manageable first step

You do not need to solve everything before asking for help. Write down what you have noticed, speak with your GP or arrange an initial parent consultation. That conversation can help you decide what support, if any, is most appropriate.

Families can choose the pathway that best fits their circumstances:

• Clinic consultations: Quirky Kid provides child psychologist consultations in Sydney and Wollongong.
• Online care across Australia: BriteChild offers video consultations and optional membership support for families, including those in regional, rural and remote communities, subject to clinical suitability and current availability.

You can book an initial Quirky Kid consultation or visit BriteChild to compare its current online options.