A Warriewood charity says child presentations as a result of domestic violence and neglect has doubled.
According to Be Centre Foundation, a children’s mental health charity offering therapy for children aged three to 14 years, demand has doubled as a result of domestic violence, abuse and neglect among young children. They have also seen a significant increase in presentations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The data underscores the importance of early mental health interventions, and the need for targeted help for children. The data from its most recent Impact Report reveals presentations of domestic violence, abuse and neglect among young children treated at the clinic have doubled, going from three percent in the period from April to September 2023 to over six percent in the period from October 2023 to March 2024.
Additionally, there has been a significant increase in presentations of ADHD/ASD among young children from up to 13 percent in the last period to over 26 percent in the most recent period. This includes challenges with sensory and emotional regulation.
The report demonstrated high levels of presentations of anxieties amongst young children treated at the clinic (over 26 percent) in both periods. There were also presentations of low self-esteem and bullying in up to 15 percent of children treated at the clinic, and parental health or medical issues and addiction in around ten percent.
Be Centre offers a play and creative therapy program that provides both one-on-one and group therapy for children aged three to 14 years. It is dedicated to stopping cycles of harm and helping children heal.
Two longstanding donors, Mark East and Margaret Hartmann, have reacted to the doubling of need by offering to double donations for the month of June until the charity reaches its $30,000 goal. Be Centre Foundation CEO Tania Taylor (image above) has called for community support to help them meet the surge in demand.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of young children coming to our clinic with ADHD/ASD symptoms and challenges with sensory and emotional regulation. We’re consistently seeing high levels of anxiety and low self-esteem. Concerningly, we have seen a doubling in presentations of domestic violence, abuse, and neglect among young children.
“Children experiencing these kinds of challenges need targeted help now. These are not problems to leave unacknowledged or to drain resources attempting to treat in a way that doesn’t work. We are dedicated to breaking cycles of harm and giving children the best chance at creating the best possible future for themselves, their families and the community.
“Despite the fact that demand for our services keeps growing, the federal budget continues to overlook the mental health needs of young children. However, we believe in the collective strength of our community to create positive change.
“Every little bit helps. Thanks to two of our longstanding donors, every dollar donated to our centre in June will be doubled. We are immensely grateful for your support,” said Ms Taylor.
Established in 2008, Be Centre Foundation is a children’s mental health not-for-profit charity based at 3 Vuko Place, Warriewood, which does not receive any government funding. It is dedicated to early intervention and stopping cycles of harm.
Over the past five years, the clinic has held more than 10,000 one-on-one sessions with children. In an anonymous post-therapy survey of parents, all strongly agreed that the Be Centre play and creative therapy program helped their child and contributed to an overall better and more positive state of well-being.
The charity also provides free services to those most disadvantaged and vulnerable so they can access help they would otherwise not be able to. Donations can be made at the Be Centre Foundation website.
Images: Be Centre Foundation
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