Parents & Carers

Young people can go through many different changes as they grow up. Raising sensitive issues and working to resolve problems that arise along the way can be challenging. It can also be hard as a parent to know the difference between normal behaviour, such as moodiness, irritability and withdrawal, and an emerging mental health problem. This section is designed to help parents and carers to:

• talk to a young person about their problems
• learn more about how to support young people
• find information about where you can find the right help
• and importantly, find support for yourself. 

For many people this is a new challenge for the family and so it can be useful to hear from others who have also sought help for their child.  The 'Something's not right' video clip, talks about a parents experience of seeking help. This video clip is taken from a DVD entitled ‘Where there’s hope’ produced by Orygen Youth Health Research Centre (click here to order the full DVD).

For specific information and fact sheets about mental health and illness, drugs and alcohol, and mental health research click here.