Objective: This paper describes the Child and Adolescent Component of the N
ational Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Method: The aims of the study, critical decisions in planning for the study
, progress to date and key issues which influenced the course of the study
are described.
Results: The Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Menta
l Health and Wellbeing is the largest study of child and adolescent mental
health conducted in Australia and one of the few national studies to be con
ducted in the world. Results from the study will provide the first national
picture of child and adolescent mental health in Australia.
Conclusions: Large-scale epidemiological studies have the potential to prov
ide considerable information about the mental health of children and adoles
cents. However, having a clear set of aims, ensuring that the scope of the
study remains within manageable proportions and paying careful attention to
the details of field-work are essential to ensure that high-quality data i
s obtained in such studies.