Overview

The Children’s Wellbeing Continuum is a simple, strengths- and evidence-based tool designed to support a shared understanding of children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Rather than viewing mental health as something a child either has or doesn’t have, the Continuum reflects that all children move through different states of wellbeing over time. These shifts are shaped by everyday experiences - including relationships, routines, learning, sleep, emotions, life events and a whole lot more.

The Continuum provides a practical 'snapshot” of how a child is going at a point in time, using four anchor points to describe a range of wellbeing states. It helps make sense of what you’re noticing - whether things feel steady, changing, or more concerning - in a way that is clear and easy to talk about.
The Continuum helps make sense of these changes in a way that is practical and easy to talk about. It supports adults in team around the child (including parents, caregivers, educators, and health professionals) to notice patterns, reflect on what might be influencing a child’s wellbeing, and feel more confident having conversations and taking early steps to support them.

The Continuum was developed by the Centre for Community Child Health through a rigorous, evidence-informed process, including review of the literature, expert input, and co-design (through a Delphi study and user testing) with parents, educators, and health professionals. It is intended for use by the adults around a child to support earlier conversations and more connected responses to children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Download the Continuum
Figure 1: The Children's Wellbeing Continuum

Noticing, connecting and acting early – together

Noticing, understanding, and talking about children’s mental health isn’t always easy.

Changes can be subtle. They can come and go. And it’s not always clear what they mean, or when to act.

The Children’s Wellbeing Continuum helps make sense of this. It offers a simple, strengths-based way to understand how a child is going, and creates a shared way to notice, reflect, and talk about what’s being observed.

The Continuum can help:

  • Notice changes over time
    Changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, learning, or relationships are often a normal part of development - but paying attention helps build a clearer picture of how a child is going.
  • Build a shared understanding around the child
    Parents and caregivers, teachers, and GPs each see different parts of a child’s world. Bringing these together helps build a clearer, shared understanding.
  • Support earlier conversations and action
    You don’t need to wait for certainty, a diagnosis, or a crisis. Early support often begins in familiar settings, through noticing, sharing, and checking in. 

By making it easier to notice and talk about children’s mental health, the Continuum helps normalise these conversations and support earlier, more connected responses.

A new video series

What does it actually look like to notice changes and talk about children’s mental health in everyday life?

We’re launching a new video series that builds on the Children’s Wellbeing Continuum - bringing these ideas to life in a way that feels practical and real.

The series explores how children’s mental health shows up in everyday life, how to make sense of patterns and changes over time, and how connecting what different adults notice can help ensure children get the support they need, earlier. This video has been produced by the team at Matterworks, helping bring the Continuum to life.

We’re evaluating these short videos and inviting parents and caregivers in Australia to take part in a short research study. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child aged 2–12 years, you’re eligible to participate. Find out more.

Using the Continuum to Notice Changes in Children’s Mental Health

Children’s mental health shows up in everyday ways - through sleep, behaviour, emotions, learning, and relationships. This video focuses on how to notice patterns over time, and how small shifts can help build a clearer picture of how a child is going. 

 

How to Have Better Conversations About Mental Health

When something feels different, knowing how to talk about it can be hard. This video focuses on how to approach conversations with teachers and GPs, and how sharing what different adults are noticing can support more connected and timely support.
 

 

What is children’s mental health?

Children’s mental health is part of everyday life - shaping how children learn, connect, and cope. This video explores what it is, and how everyday experiences like connection, play, routine, and belonging support wellbeing.

How do I know if they’re doing okay?

Changes are part of growing up - but patterns over time can tell us more. This video explores how to make sense of what you’re seeing, and how understanding what’s typical for a child can help guide what to pay attention to.

 

Am I doing enough?

It’s a common question. This video focuses on the role of everyday moments - showing how small, consistent actions can support children’s mental health, without needing to be perfect.

 

When do I need help?

Support doesn’t have to start at crisis point. This video explores how early conversations with trusted adults, including teachers and GPs, can help bring the right support around a child at the right time.

Help us learn more

Talking about children’s mental health isn’t always easy - and how we share information matters.
We’re evaluating these short videos and inviting parents and caregivers in Australia to take part in a short research study. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child aged 2–12 years, you’re eligible to participate.
Participation involves watching two short videos within the survey and sharing your thoughts in a 10–15 minute anonymous survey.

We’re interested in what stood out to you, whether the messages felt clear and meaningful, and how these resources could be improved.

Your responses will help strengthen how children’s mental health is communicated with families. Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and you can find out more via the link.

Find out more and take part in the study

Looking for more?

These trusted resources offer practical, evidence-based information to support everyday understanding, conversations, and early action.

Raising Health Minds

This Raising Healthy Minds App offers practical, evidence-based tips and activities to support children’s mental health and wellbeing in everyday moments. Explore the app.

The below video showcases what the Children's Wellbeing Continuum is and how it can be used to support children's social and emotional wellbeing.

Emerging Minds

Raising Children Network

The Raising Children Network website provides guidance on children’s mental health, including how to support wellbeing through connection, play, routines, and relationships. 

 

Download the Children's Wellbeing Continuum

Our team

  • Dr Simone Darling, Principle Research Fellow
  • Dr Sarthak Gandhi, Paediatric Trainee and Research Assistant
  • Prof Frank Oberklaid, Co-Group Leader, Policy and Equity

Partners and funders

The National Mental Health Commission funded the development of the Children's Wellbeing Continuum.

Thank you to The Creswick Foundation for funding and supporting 'The Children’s Wellbeing Continuum – Strengthening Primary Care' project.

Resources

Contact us

For more information contact Dr Simone Darling, Principal Research Fellow: [email protected]