Children 0 to 12
Australian Rotary Health in 2023 will have a focus that considers mental health and wellbeing outcomes for children from birth to 12 years. 14% of Australian children experience mental disorders (that is, approximately 500,000 children in this age range suffer from a mental disorder). Mental disorders have a major adverse effect on the well-being of children and their families, and on the education outcomes of children. There is also evidence that approximately 50% of mental disorders across all age groups have their onset by the age of 14 years. The time between birth and 12 years is a very important developmental period where successes and failures can cascade down the years.