Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
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This screening tool is designed for parents and caregivers to check their child’s emotional and behavioural wellbeing. Suitable for children aged 4-16 years, this assessment takes just 5 minutes to complete. It’s based on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17), a validated tool that helps identify potential attention, emotional, or behavioural concerns in children. Your responses are completely anonymous and confidential.
Why screen your child? Early identification of mental health and behavioural concerns helps children get support sooner. Many childhood mental health issues are highly treatable, and research consistently shows that early intervention leads to significantly better long-term outcomes for children and families.
Important Disclaimer:
This is a screening tool only, not a diagnosis. It’s designed to identify children who may need further professional evaluation. Please discuss results with your child’s GP or school counsellor. All responses are anonymous and confidential.
Mental health issues are common in childhood and often go unrecognised. According to the Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, approximately 1 in 7 Australian children aged 4-17 years experience a mental health disorder in any given year. Many more go undetected and untreated. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes and can prevent problems from becoming more serious. These issues can substantially affect school performance, friendships, family relationships, and overall child development.
The PSC-17 identifies three main areas of concern:
Internalising Problems (Emotional):
Externalising Problems (Behavioural):
Attention Problems:
Common conditions identified through screening include anxiety disorders (separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalised anxiety); depression or persistent low mood; ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder); oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorders; autism spectrum disorder; and emotional regulation difficulties.
To complete this screening accurately, think about your child’s behaviour over the past several months, not just recent days. Consider what’s typical for your child, not just one particularly difficult week. Rate how often each behaviour occurs based on your observations. Be honest—this helps accurately identify whether your child needs professional support. Complete all questions for the most accurate results.
For which child? If you have multiple children, complete a separate screening for each child. Different children may have different needs and challenges.
Rating scale:
Please rate how often your child experiences each of these:
Total Score: Add up all points (0-34 possible)
Subscale Scores:
Interpretation:
What this means: Your responses suggest your child may be experiencing emotional, behavioural, or attention difficulties that warrant professional evaluation by a GP, paediatrician, or child psychologist.
Next steps:
What to expect: The doctor will ask detailed questions about your child’s development, behaviour, and symptoms. They may want to speak with your child privately depending on age. They could request information from your child’s school or teachers through a teacher questionnaire. They might refer to a paediatric specialist, child psychologist, or psychiatrist for comprehensive assessment. Further evaluation determines specific diagnosis and treatment needs.
Important to know: Early intervention helps prevent problems from worsening and becoming more entrenched. Many childhood mental health issues are highly treatable with therapy, parent training, school support, or medication. Your child isn’t “bad” or “broken”—they may be struggling with something beyond their control. Comprehensive support and evidence-based treatment are available through Medicare.
High Internalising Score (5+): Suggests emotional difficulties like anxiety or depression
High Attention Score (5+): Suggests possible ADHD or attention difficulties
High Externalising Score (7+): Suggests behavioural difficulties or conduct problems
What this means: Your child’s symptoms don’t suggest significant mental health concerns at this time based on this screening. However, trust your instincts as a parent—you know your child best.
Still seek help if:
Your child’s GP:
School resources:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services:
Talking therapies:
Parenting programmes:
School support:
Medication:
National resources:
State-specific services:
Emotional support: Listen to your child without judgement or immediately trying to fix problems. Validate their feelings, even if you don’t fully understand them—”I can see you’re really upset.” Create a safe, comfortable space where they feel they can talk openly about worries. Schedule regular quality time together doing activities they enjoy without distractions. Show unconditional love and acceptance regardless of behaviour or symptoms.
Routine and structure: Maintain consistent bedtimes and wake times, even on weekends. Establish regular mealtimes and healthy eating habits. Create clear, age-appropriate, and reasonable household rules. Maintain a predictable daily schedule that reduces anxiety and provides security. Limit screen time according to guidelines (no more than 2 hours recreational screen time for school-aged children). Encourage regular physical activity and outdoor time—Australian guidelines recommend 60 minutes daily.
Positive discipline: Praise good behaviour specifically (“I noticed you were very patient with your sister”). Use natural consequences when appropriate rather than harsh punishments. Stay calm during difficult behaviour—your regulation helps them learn regulation. Set clear, consistent boundaries that your child understands. Follow through consistently with consequences you’ve established—empty threats undermine authority.
Communication: Have age-appropriate discussions about feelings, mental health, and what they’re experiencing. Ask open-ended questions (“How did that make you feel?” vs “Did you have a good day?”). Notice and comment on changes in behaviour, mood, or functioning. Take their concerns seriously, even if they seem small to you—they’re real to your child. Involve them in finding solutions appropriate for their age and developmental stage.
Contact emergency services or take your child to the hospital emergency department if your child talks about self-harm, suicide, or wanting to die; shows severe behaviour endangering themselves or others; experiences rapid deterioration in functioning; refuses to eat or drink for extended periods; or shows signs of abuse, trauma, or psychosis (seeing/hearing things).
Emergency contacts:
“Is this just a phase?” Some behaviours are normal developmental stages, but if they persist for several months, cause significant distress to your child, or interfere with daily functioning at school or home, seek professional advice.
“Will my child be labelled?” Getting support early actually helps prevent problems from worsening and becoming more serious. A diagnosis (if one is appropriate) opens doors to appropriate treatment, school adjustments, and understanding rather than limiting your child.
“Am I a bad parent?” Mental health issues are not caused by bad parenting. They result from complex factors including genetics, brain chemistry, environmental stressors, and biological factors beyond anyone’s control. Seeking help shows you’re a caring, responsible parent.
“Will medication change my child’s personality?” Medication (when used appropriately and under specialist supervision) aims to help your child be their true self without debilitating symptoms. The goal is to reduce suffering and improve functioning, not change who they are fundamentally.
“What if I can’t afford private help?” Medicare covers bulk-billed GP visits and rebates for psychology sessions through a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Public Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are free. School-based counselling is free. Community health centres offer sliding-scale fees. Don’t let cost prevent seeking help—options exist.
“Should I tell my child’s school?” Yes—schools can provide valuable support, adjustments, and understanding. They’re partners in your child’s wellbeing and education. Many schools have wellbeing teams and can make reasonable adjustments to support your child’s learning.
Ages 4-7: Emotional regulation skills are still developing normally at this age. Young children may express distress through behaviour rather than words—tantrums, aggression, or withdrawal. Play therapy is often the most effective treatment approach for this age group. Parent training and behavioural strategies are crucial components of treatment.
Ages 8-12: Peer relationships become increasingly important and complex. Academic pressure and expectations increase significantly in upper primary school. Children can begin to engage meaningfully in talking therapy like CBT. School support and teacher involvement are essential for success.
Ages 13-16: Adolescent brain development affects emotion regulation and decision-making. Identity formation creates unique challenges and vulnerabilities during the teenage years. Teens may resist parent involvement in treatment, seeking independence. Peer influence becomes very strong and can be positive or negative. Risk-taking behaviour increases naturally during this developmental stage. Different ages require different therapeutic approaches—discuss age-appropriate options with professionals.
This screening is based on: Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17)
Reference: Gardner, W., Murphy, M., Childs, G., et al. (1999). The PSC-17: A brief pediatric symptom checklist with psychosocial problem subscales. A report from PROS and ASPN. Ambulatory Child Health, 5(3), 225-236.
Important disclaimer: This online screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. It provides guidance only and cannot replace professional evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider such as a GP, paediatrician, child psychologist, or child psychiatrist. This tool helps identify children who may benefit from further professional assessment. If your child is in immediate danger or experiencing severe symptoms, contact your GP urgently, call 000, go to your nearest hospital emergency department, or call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. Trust your parental instincts—if you’re concerned, seek professional advice. This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not store or collect personal health information, ensuring your privacy is protected in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles.