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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.

Service Access Timeframes
The current wait times for this service is 6-9 months.

If your matter is urgent, please contact the following services:

The Orange Door: 1800 271 157

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Safe Steps: 1800 015 188

Raising Children’s Network Website

This program works with parent(s), guardians, children, step or grandchildren, and extended family members.

Access priority:
Access priority is currently offered to children and families experiencing vulnerabilities for free Child and Family Health Services at Gateway Health.  Wait times may be longer for clients who do not fall into a priority population and private fee charging options may be more suitable.

Referral and intake

Refer a child or make an enquiry

Referrals and enquiries for these programs can be made through our Child and Family Health intake team.

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.

Age group

Children aged 0 to 12 years

Cost

Free

Current wait time

Approximately 3–6 months

This service is available for children and families in Beechworth, Bright, Chiltern, Corryong, Mt Beauty, Myrtleford, Tallangatta, Wodonga and Yackandandah.

To access this service, submit a referral form. The CHIPS Coordinator will then be in contact with you.

Enquiries can be sent to
cfhintake@gatewayhealth.org.au
or by calling
(02) 6022 8888.

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, while also recognising the importance of families throughout the process.

We generally work with concerns including:

  • grief and loss, including death in the family, family breakdown and parental separation
  • general anxiety, including school refusal, stress, sleep issues, separation anxiety, panic and phobias
  • identity issues, including gender and sexuality-related concerns

Children’s counselling services are tailored to suit individual needs and may use interactive play and art therapy.

Age group

Children aged 5 to 12 years

Location

Children living in Victoria or New South Wales

Current wait time

Approximately 3–6 months

To access this service, submit a referral form. The Team Leader Parenting will then be in contact with you.

Enquiries can be sent to
cfhintake@gatewayhealth.org.au
or by calling
(02) 6022 8888.

Creative Therapies

The Creative Therapies Pilot Program provides Art and Music Therapy for individuals aged 0-18 who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health challenges. Eligible participants are offered person-centered, mental health support through group, family, and/or individual therapy sessions using a range of creative modalities. The program is delivered by qualified Creative Therapists registered with either the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) or the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA). 

Age group

Young people under 18

Location

Albury Wodonga

Cost

Free

To access this service, submit a referral form here. 

Enquiries regarding the program may also be forwarded to
cfhintake@gatewayhealth.org.au
or by calling
(02) 6022 8888.

This service is supported by funding from Murray PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program. 

Other programs that may support children and young people’s wellbeing

headspace – based in Wodonga & Wangaratta age 12-25 years
https://gatewayhealth.org.au/services/counselling-mental-health/headspace/

Last Update: September 15th, 2026

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People living well

Gateway Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land on which we stand and pay our respect to the Elders, past, present and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions and the culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Gateway Health acknowledges and recognises people from different nationalities, cultures and identities. We are committed to providing an inclusive service and work environment where individuals feel safe, accepted, affirmed and celebrated.