Connecting Mental-health Paediatric Specialists and Community Services
Every day, general practices are among the first health professionals’ families turn to when they have concerns about a child’s emotional wellbeing or mental health. Early recognition and timely support can make a lasting difference.
COMPASS is a free, evidence-informed education and support program designed to strengthen the confidence, knowledge and capability of general practice teams in identifying, assessing and supporting children experiencing mental health concerns.
Whether you’re looking to build your skills, strengthen referral pathways or connect with local specialist services, COMPASS provides practical tools and guidance to help you navigate child mental health care with confidence.
Why COMPASS?
The COMPASS program helps general practice teams to:
- Build confidence in recognising and responding to child mental health concerns.
- Develop practical assessment and management skills for use in everyday consultations.
- Strengthen collaboration with specialist child mental health services and local referral pathways.
- Enhance communication with children, parents and carers.
- Improve access to timely, coordinated and person-centred care for children and families.
What's included
Participants will have access to:
- Five practical, expert-led education sessions tailored for primary care. Topics will include a range of common conditions including assessment, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, aggressive behaviours and suicidality.
- Opportunity to meet with local experts for secondary consultation which may include diagnostic, assessment or management advice or referral options.
- Resources and tools that can be immediately applied in practice.
- Opportunities to learn alongside peers and local child mental health specialists.
- Ongoing support to embed learning into clinical practice.
- CPD opportunities (where applicable).
Express your interest
COMPASS is designed for primary care professionals, including GPs, nurses and allied health professionals who want to strengthen their approach to child mental health and improve outcomes for children and families in their community.
View the official flyer for further details here.
Complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) today.
EOI’s close at 5 pm, Friday 18 September 2026.
For more information, contact: COMPASS_project@unsw.edu.au
Sessions will run in October and November 2026, and February – April 2027, with the full program to be released shortly.
