Establishing service, research, and policy priorities to mitigate the mental health impacts of family adversity on children in Australia

Abstract

This article explores the urgent need to establish Service, Research, and Policy priorities to mitigate the mental health impacts of family adversity on children in Australia. The study brings together perspectives from professionals and individuals with lived experience across health, education, justice, and social care sectors, using a national symposium and a subsequent resource allocation survey to identify and rank key priorities. The research emphasises the pervasive impact of childhood adversity, such as abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence, on children’s long-term mental health outcomes, noting its disproportionate effects on children from Indigenous, ethnic minority, and low socioeconomic backgrounds.<br><br>

Key priorities identified in the study include the establishment of integrated service hubs to provide holistic support to children and families, and the implementation of early childhood nurse home-visiting programs for families facing adversity. In the research domain, scaling up proven interventions and assessing cross-sector funding models emerged as significant. Policy recommendations include ensuring evidence-based policy development with evaluation and implementation frameworks. Participants with lived experience placed particular importance on embedding lived experience within research initiatives and shifting school disciplinary approaches to be more supportive. The findings highlight a cross-sectoral, trauma-informed approach as essential to addressing childhood adversity and call for immediate resource allocation to support these priorities within Australia’s current policy landscape.