Mental health services
What are mental health services?
Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life and is able to make a contribution to the community. In this positive sense, mental health is the foundation for individual well-being and the effective functioning of a community.
Mental illness is a term used for any condition that affects a person's mood, behavior or thoughts in a way that is distressing or impairs functioning.
Diagnosing and treating mental illnesses in children and young people is a specialist field as they can present themselves in a range of behaviours that can be difficult to differentiate from normal development.
How do we help children and young people who need access to mental health services?
The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network provides a range of services to support the positive mental health of children and young people and to care for those who experience problems associated with mental illness.
This is mainly done through our psychiatry and psychology services, but also through our eating disorders treatment programs, Adolescent Medicine Department and Social Work Department.
In line with our family-focussed approach to care, we also provide support services for parents, carers and families of children and young people with mental health issues.
Also see related service areas for more information: