Community Services

SHINE Mental Health

Did you know…………

13% of 10-14 year olds in Australia have a mental health issue and most were not receiving professional help.1 74% of 21 year olds with a mental health disorder had a developmental history of a mental disorder.2 International research recommends targeted interventions at this life stage to mediate specific risks and enhance protective factors.3

SHINE - An Australian Government initiative

With support from the Australian Government, Family Life runs the innovative SHINE Mental Health Project which supports vulnerable children aged 8-14 and their families, who live in the Frankston and Chelsea (Victoria) districts.

Underpinning the SHINE Project is an academic research-base designed to improve understanding of prevention and minimisation of mental illness. Knowledge learned through the project will contribute to the Australian Government Mental Health Strategy.

SHINE offers services for children and parents where mental health issues are already a concern within the family. Specialist help is available for children who have a parent with a mental illness and also for those children showing early signs of mental illness.

SHINE focuses on early intervention and prevention and aims to reduce the risk of a child experiencing a mental health problem by helping them to strengthen their resilience and coping skills.

Click on the links below for more information or phone Family Life Frankston on 03 9770 0341

• How SHINE Works
• SHINE Benefits
• SHINE Success 2008-09

Download SHINE brochures here:

• SHINE brochure for adults
• SHINE brochure for children

1 – Child and Adolescent component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (Sawyer et al 2000)

2 – (Zubrick et al 1999:572)

3 – (Giesen, Searle & Sawyer 2006)