Triple P welcomes $40m investment into children’s emotional wellbeing

Triple P International has welcomed a decision by the Australian Government to invest just over $40 million into building children’s emotional wellbeing and helping them to thrive by funding access for parents and caregivers to Triple P’s evidence-based online programs.

Carol Markie-Dadds, Triple P International Country Director, said that one in seven Australian children aged between 4 and 11 years experiences a mental disorder, and half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14 years.

Anxiety is the second most common mental health issue experienced by children, sitting behind ADHD, she explained. 

“In line with the National Children’s Mental Health Strategy, a mix of early intervention strategies and building parents’ mental health literacy to recognise and respond to the early signs of anxiety or stress, is key to addressing children’s mental health concerns before they become severe and long standing issues,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

“Parenting isn’t easy, and now more than ever, parents and carers are telling us that they need parenting resources that can help with a wide range of concerns,” she added.

The funding will mean parents and carers have universal access to Triple P’s online parenting support that provides a range of practical and proven strategies for supporting children’s healthy development.

“Parents and carers can do the interactive and engaging, online program for as little as ten minutes or decide to explore for longer and see a range of benefits that will help build children’s life skills,” Ms Markie-Dadds explained. 

“For parents of babies right through to tweens, the broad range of effective strategies can be adapted to suit the needs of every family, so parents can feel confident about handling each new age, stage, and situation.” 

Parents can access support for a range of challenges, transitions and support needs including: 

• how to create the best environment for your child’s development; 
• knowing how to address child behaviours, promoting new skills, and helping emotional self-regulation; 
• raising happier, more confident and capable children; and 
• improving your relationship as a family.

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“We look forward to working with the Government, the mental health sector, and the broader range of universal services who have regular and direct contact with children and families. This includes schools, early childhood services, and child health centres,” Ms Markie-Dadds said in closing.

 For more information about the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, please visit www.triplep-parenting.net.au