A Snapshot of Youth Mental Health in Australia: Anxiety, Access & A Call for Change
*Please note: this article references child mental health challenges and suicide.
Australia - The Land of Sunshine, Surf… and Stress?
Australia is often celebrated for its laid-back lifestyle, sunshine, and sporting culture - but beneath that easy-going image, a growing number of children are struggling.
Mental health concerns among young Australians have quietly become one of the nation’s most pressing public health issues.
With a population of over 26 million people, and even with a strong healthcare system, access to mental health support for children and teens remains inconsistent, especially for those in rural or disadvantaged communities. Over 4 million people, just over 16% of the Aussie population, are kids under 12 years.
Without early intervention, these challenges can follow kids into adulthood - shaping their relationships, education, career prospects, and long-term wellbeing.
What’s Happening with the Mental Health of Young Aussies?
Growing up in Australia comes with unique experiences - whether it’s weekend footy, school carnivals, or exploring the great outdoors. But for many young Australians, growing up also means anxiety, pressure, and distress.
Around 1 in 5 Australians aged 11–17 experience high or very high levels of psychological distress.
Anxiety and depression are now among the leading causes of disease burden among kids aged 5-14.
Around 7% of kids aged 12-17 experience an anxiety disorder, making it one of the most common mental health challenges for this age group.
Girls are slightly more likely to experience anxiety than boys (7.7% vs. 6.3%).
And it’s not just teens - around 14% of children aged 4-11 experience a mental health disorder in any given year.
50% of adult mental health issues start before age 14 years old.
Seven out of ten presentations to paediatricians are for mental health concerns.
While most young people feel positive about their future, anxiety and depression are among the leading health issues affecting Aussie kids.
Mental Health in Kids, Barriers to Care and the Bigger Picture
Despite the prevalence of mental health challenges, far too many children go without help. In fact:
Only 54% of children with anxiety disorders receive professional support.
Children in single-parent or blended families, or from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, face a higher risk of experiencing anxiety.
Geography matters - with most of Australia’s psychologists based in urban areas, rural and remote families often face long waitlists or no available care.
The long-term impact is significant. Untreated childhood mental health concerns can contribute to school dropout, social withdrawal, job instability, and chronic health conditions later in life.
This isn't just a health issue - it's a social and economic one, too.
How Many Child Psychologists Are There in Australia?
Australia has nearly 50,000 registered psychologists, yet the system remains stretched.
While telehealth has improved reach in some areas, it can’t always replace in-person services - and for children, relationship-based support is critical.
Most mental health professionals are concentrated in major cities so that kids in rural and remote areas often face long wait times or limited options for therapy.
The good news? Early support can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Evidence-based programs in schools, community mental health models, and digital innovations are showing promise - but they need to be part of a coordinated, accessible system.
Why Australian Kids Need More Support - and How Gheorg Can Help
Gheorg is a digital mental health companion for kids, designed to help young people build emotional resilience, manage anxiety, and learn healthy coping strategies - wherever they are.
Developed by psychologists and co-designed with +1,000 kids in classrooms, Gheorg supports children through:
Daily check-ins to help them identify and express emotions
Calming activities and exercises for self-regulation
Interactive lessons on handling big feelings like stress, anger, or sadness
Stories and characters that make learning about mental health fun and relatable
Unlike therapy, Gheorg doesn’t require an appointment - and it never runs out of availability. It’s a low-barrier, scalable solution for families waiting for services, or looking to support their child’s wellbeing between sessions.
By giving kids the tools to understand themselves, Gheorg is helping bridge the gap in Australia’s mental health system - one daily check-in at a time.
Supporting the Next Generation of Australian Kids & Their Mental Health
Australia’s kids deserve more than sunshine and good intentions - they deserve real, ongoing support for their mental wellbeing.
Whether it’s reducing wait times, increasing rural access, embedding mental health programs into schools, or adopting scalable digital tools like Gheorg, the time to act is now.
Because when we invest in the mental health of children, we’re investing in the future of Australia.