A Keilor psychologist is hoping her new website can help young people who are grappling with mental health issues.
Justine Knott, a practising psychologist for 20 years, has launched Coping4Kids to educate children and parents about issues such as anxiety, anger, social skills, bullying and stress management methods.
Ms Knott says Coping4Kids is a free and accessible way for young people to access support.
“Most kids now are tech savvy, and technology empowers them to access support,” she said.
“My goal with the website is to help more children because many, such as those in rural areas, don’t have access to a local psychologist.”
A new Monash University study has shown that Brimbank has 67 psychiatrist services and 26 psychologist services for every 1000 people, compared with neighbouring Moonee Valley, which has 129 psychiatric services and 62 psychology services per 1000 people.
Ms Knott said children were not given enough credit for their resilience.
“Kids have good intuition and they do have the inner resources to help themselves,” she said. “They just need some guidance and support along the way.”
Ms Knott said about 30 per cent of child patients she saw at Keilor Psychology suffered from anxiety and about 16 per cent had depression.
Visit the website at www.coping4kids.com.
