Responding to the mental health care needs of unaccompanied homeless children in Tasmania

This project investigated the mental health care needs of children who experience homelessness alone. It built on key themes of complex trauma, the value of school supports, and access to health and mental health services.

The overarching aims of the project were:

• To understand unaccompanied homeless children’s experiences of mental ill-health in Tasmania;
• To investigate barriers to mental health service provision for unaccompanied homeless children in Tasmania;
• To consider what models of support and service would better meet the mental health needs of unaccompanied homeless children in Tasmania.

This report offers insight into the lives and dreams of 15 Tasmanian children and young people who experienced homelessness and mental ill-health alone. It also details the experiences of 65 Tasmanian professionals working in community and school-based services, who report struggling to respond to the complex and competing needs of unaccompanied homeless children.

The report has four key recommendations. These include providing early intervention through primary schools, and improved access to appropriate mental health services and care coordination.

You can download a word version of the Better, Bigger, Strong report here.