Free online platform to tackle children's mental health crisis

Young Australians with mental health concerns will no longer have to wait or miss out on help with the launch of a free online mental health platform.

Momentum brings vital evidence-informed treatments, tools and techniques to the fingertips of seven to 17-year-olds who are experiencing common mental health issues.

The innovative platform was a collaborative project developed by researchers, experts and web designers from Federation University Australia, Griffith University, The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, The Australian National University, and the lead institution, the University of Southern Queensland.

The $5 million project also received additional input from industry partners Kids Helpline, Stride, Education Queensland, West Moreton Health, Children's Health Queensland and Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network.

One of the project's researchers, Federation University's Professor Britt Klein, said the comprehensive self-help interactive platform was timely given the unprecedented demand for mental health care among young people.

"Momentum is essentially a one-stop shop for young people to get help for a variety of mental health problems like anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties," Professor Klein said.

"Waiting lists to see a psychologist can be over 12 months, while the number of young people experiencing mental health issues continues to climb.

"We urgently need a new solution to address this significant crisis and ensure all young Australians, no matter who they are or where they are from, have access to quality mental health care when they need it. Momentum does that."

Professor Sonja March, program lead at the University of Southern Queensland, said Momentum was designed and developed with the help of hundreds of young people, parents, and mental health professionals.

"Momentum is unique because it delivers a thorough assessment of the young person's situation to determine their need for help and then builds a personal program just for them," Professor March said.

"It will get young people the help they need, when they need it, using a method they are used to.

"We know that the earlier we can help young people, the better their outcomes will be, so it's important to make services available to them as soon as possible."

The research was supported by the Australian Government under the Medical Research Future Fund.

The platform is available to anyone aged seven to 17 in Australia at www.momentumhub.org.au

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