Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
Gateway Health has a number of programs to support children and their families with their mental health and wellbeing. Information about each program is below.
Child Health Intervention and Parent Support (CHIPS)
Child Health Intervention and Parent Support (CHIPS) is an early intervention service for children aged from zero to 12 with social, emotional, or behavioural challenges, and their families.
The CHIPS program offers therapeutic counselling, group work and parenting support for children at risk of mental health issues.
This is a free service for children aged zero to 12 years in the areas of Beechworth, Bright, Chiltern, Corryong, Mt Beauty, Myrtleford, Tallangatta, Wodonga and Yackandandah.
The current wait times for this service are 3-6 months. To access this service submit a referral form: snapform
The CHIPS Coordinator will then be in contact with you.
Enquiries regarding the program may also be forwarded to CHIPS Intake intake.chips@gatewayhealth.org.au or by calling the Coordinator on 0438 567 247.
Children’s Counselling
Children’s Counselling is based on a developmental framework, acknowledging the specific needs and abilities of children at different stages of primary school age.
We give priority to the voices and needs of children, as well as recognising the importance of families, throughout the process.
We generally work with the following concerns:
- Grief and loss – This may include a death in the family or someone close to the child, family breakdown, parental separation.
- General anxiety – This may include school refusal, stress issues, sleep issues, separation anxiety, panic, phobias.
- Identity issues – This may include gender and sexuality-related concerns
Children’s counselling services are tailored to suit individual needs and may use interactive play and art therapy.
This a free service for children aged from 5 to 12 years living in Victoria or New South Wales.
The current wait times for this service are 3-6 months. To access this service submit a referral form: snapform
The Team Leader Parenting will then be in contact with you.
Enquiries regarding the program may also be forwarded to childandfamilycounselling@gatewayhealth.org.au or by calling the Team Leader on
0438 529 587.
Creative Therapies
Creative Therapies program aims to use music and creative arts to help children, young people and their families address emotional, mental and physical health concerns and promote their overall wellbeing. The service will work with young people under 18 one on one and in group-based settings across the community. The service prioritises Albury Wodonga young people experiencing ADHD, Autism and learning differences.
This is a free service for young people under 18 in Albury Wodonga. The Coordinator will assess young people’s mental health needs on intake to determine if the program is suitable. To access this service submit a referral form: snapform
The Coordinator will then be in contact with you.
Enquiries regarding the program may also be forwarded to creativetherapy@gatewayhealth.org.au or by calling the Coordinator on 0438567247.
This service is supported by funding from Murray PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
The following programs are also available to support children and young people’s wellbeing:
Gateway Children’s Psychological Therapy Service – based in Wangaratta
https://gatewayhealth.org.au/services/counselling-mental-health/childrens-psychological-therapy-services/
Head to Health – all ages
https://gatewayhealth.org.au/services/counselling-mental-health/headtohealth/
headspace – based in Wodonga age 12-25 years
https://gatewayhealth.org.au/services/counselling-mental-health/headspace/