In The Field
The Benevolent Society Brisbane North and Logan supports those at risk of mental health issues
Freya Lucas
Jan 30, 2025
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The Benevolent Society in Brisbane North and Logan has continued to provide early intervention support to young Australians aged 0-18 years of age who are showing early signs of, or are at risk of, developing mental illness, as well as assistance to their families and carers.
The Family Mental Health Support Service (FMHSS) has been in operation since 2017, providing assisting through a variety of means, including:
- Outreach
- group work
- parenting programs
- community engagement
- one-on-one support with children, and;
- holistic family therapeutic interventions.
This early intervention ensures families get timely help for their children if they’re concerned about their social and emotional wellbeing, with The Benevolent Society’s specialists working alongside schools, community groups and in one-to-one settings to deliver counselling and family therapy focused on the needs of each child. “FHMSS is helping build resilience and foster lasting, positive change for families where there may be a child showing early warning signs of developing mental health challenges,” Sabrina Pezzuto, Team Leader, Child and Family Wellbeing Service – Brisbane North and Logan, at The Benevolent Society explained.
“It is child-centred, through direct support for children and empowering parents to achieve the best outcomes for their families.”
Children and young people working with The Benevolent Society learn new skills such as working on emotions and how to manage these, self-esteem, friendships, coping strategies such as mindfulness or breathing techniques. The team also implements sessions including games, art, and other engaging activities based on best practice to help children build emotional regulation and emotional intelligence.
“Early intervention and having parents and carers engaged in addressing these issues with children is key to the outcomes delivered by FMHSS,” Ms Pezzuto added.
“The earlier the intervention, the larger the impact we have. All staff are trained to deliver the Circle of Security to parents, and we include parents and carers in our work with children so they reinforce these strategies at home.”
Seeing children and young people make positive changes as a result of the interventions, and watching them utilise the skills they have learned to thrive independently is one of the most satisfying aspects of the process, she continued.
“As part of the program, we ask for feedback on the most significant changes from clients. Seeing responses from parents noting their children can now recognise their feelings before things escalate, and from children saying they have learnt to better express their feelings are all incredibly heartwarming to see.” The Benevolent Society also delivers this support in Campbelltown and East Maitland, NSW. Learn more about the work of The Benevolent Society here.
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