New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has today revealed the scale of children leaving violence and neglect, and seeking support from specialised homelessness services without a parent or guardian.
The heartbreaking statistics show 13,300 children sought help from specialist homelessness services in the past year alone.
And for those who were already homeless when they sought help, 77% remained homeless after seeking that support.
"This new data is absolutely heart-breaking. Homeless children, who are often leaving domestic violence and abuse are not getting the help they need. It's completely unacceptable," Australians for Mental Health Executive Director Chris Gambian said.
"Having a stable and secure home is critical for mental wellbeing, especially during developmental years. Teenagers are going through enough change within their own bodies, but to be struggling to feel safe and supported is tragic," he said.
Data released today also revealed hundreds of children who have come into contact with homelessness services in the past decade, including in family groups, have died.
"The leading cause of death for the 520 children who died in the decade to 2023 was suicide. This has to be a serious wake up call. Homelessness can have significant effects on mental wellbeing. Australia cannot accept children dying because they are situations they have no control over," Chris Gambian said.
"Mental health is influenced by so many factors, and this data demonstrates just how important the role is for other departments to play in order to address mental ill-health in Australia. We need more arms of government to be accountable for our mental wellbeing, because the homelessness crisis heavily affects mental health," he said.
Australians for Mental Health is a grassroots advocacy group calling for the federal government to get serious about addressing mental ill-health in Australia.
Actions the organisation is campaigning for include establishing a Wellbeing Act to ensure whole-of-government accountability for mental health, and to support the provision of quality affordable and accessible services where they are needed.
