Developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for common mental health conditions

Why do we need this project?

We have identified a need for better consistency in mental health assessment, care, quality improvement, and care/referral pathways for infants, children, young people, and their carers/families across the Melbourne Children’s Campus.

Aim

This project aims to establish a clear set of evidence-based and clinical consensus recommendations to improve the overall consistency and efficiency of mental healthcare delivery.

These clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) will provide a standardised framework that healthcare professionals can use to inform identification, assessment and management of common mental health conditions, ensuring all patients receive the same level of high-quality care.

CPGs will be accompanied by a suite of clinical decision-making guides and care pathways, so staff know where and how to seek help for children and their families.  

Anxiety in children and young people

After a thorough development process with health professionals across RCH and MCRI, a final draft of the Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Anxiety in Children and Young People has been released for public consultation.

We invite feedback from mental health organisations and professionals to validate the recommendations within the guideline, ensuring its applicability and relevance to clinical practice.

Feedback can be submitted via this link: Feedback webform

Read the full draft here: clinical practice guidelines

The accompanying technical report can be found here: technical report

Acknowledgement of Country

At Mental Health Central we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

We acknowledge all people with a lived or living experience of mental ill-health and recovery. At the Campus, we particularly acknowledge children, young people, families, carers, and supporters. We recognise their vital contribution and value the courage of those who share this unique perspective for the purpose of learning and growing together to achieve better outcomes for the Campus, staff, sector, and all people of lived experience.

Proudly supported by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation