Continue listening as Frank delves into the into perceived strengths and weaknesses of the current system, along with advice as to how to improve it.

Despite the best efforts of governments over the years, providing timely, appropriate, and equitable access to services supporting child mental health has been problematic. Both parents and professionals have difficulty navigating a fragmented service system, and there are long waiting lists for assessment and treatment.

At the same time there is increasing recognition of the importance of considered investment in child mental health, given the opportunities for prevention and early intervention before problems become more challenging to manage.

To combat this, the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was developed. This provides a framework to guide critical investment in the mental health and wellbeing of children and families.

One man dedicated to driving this strategy is today’s guest, Professor Frank Oberklaid.

Frank is an internationally recognised researcher, author, lecturer, and consultant, and has written two books and over 200 scientific publications on various aspects of children’s health and development. He is Co-Group Leader of Child Health Policy, Equity and Translation at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne.

Frank has longstanding clinical, research and policy interests in children’s health. He is Chair of the Victorian Children’s Council, which provides expert advice to the Victorian government on children’s health, and Co-Chair of the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.