Mental health and emotional support

Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can affect much more than a child’s physical health. Hospital visits, unpredictable symptoms, school absences and worries about the future can all take an emotional toll.

Some children may feel anxious about having a flare at school, embarrassed about needing the toilet urgently or frustrated that they cannot always do the same things as their friends. Others may struggle with medication, medical procedures or the uncertainty of living with a long-term condition.

Parents and siblings can also experience stress, worry and exhaustion.

Emotional support is an important part of caring for a child with IBD. There are services available in Australia to help children, teenagers and families manage these challenges.

🧠 How can IBD affect a child’s emotional wellbeing?

Every child responds differently to living with IBD. Some adjust well, while others may need extra support at different stages of their journey.

Your child might experience:

• Anxiety and worry: about symptoms, medical tests, hospital admissions or having a flare.

• Embarrassment: about toilet urgency, accidents, medication or explaining their condition to friends.

• Feeling different: particularly when IBD affects school attendance, sport, sleepovers or social activities.

• Frustration and sadness: about missing out on activities or not feeling well.

• Stress around food: especially when symptoms affect eating or when they have dietary restrictions.

• Worries about the future: including friendships, independence, puberty and managing their condition as they grow older.

These feelings do not necessarily mean your child has a mental health condition.

However, if worries persist, interfere with daily life or become difficult to manage, professional support may help.

🩺 Start with your child’s IBD team

Your child’s paediatric gastroenterologist and IBD nurses can be a useful starting point if you are concerned about their emotional wellbeing.

Ask whether the hospital has access to a paediatric psychologist, social worker or other mental health professional. Some children's hospitals have teams that work with children who have chronic illnesses and understand the emotional challenges associated with ongoing treatment.

These professionals may help children develop coping strategies, manage anxiety around procedures, adjust to a diagnosis and communicate their needs at school.

If your hospital does not offer this service, the team may be able to recommend community-based support.

💬 Finding a psychologist or counsellor

A psychologist or counsellor can help your child understand their feelings and develop practical ways to manage stress.

Depending on your child's needs, support may focus on:

• Managing anxiety and worries about symptoms.

• Building confidence and self-esteem.

• Coping with medical procedures and hospital visits.

• Navigating friendships and school.

• Adjusting to a new diagnosis or changes in health.

• Developing strategies for difficult emotions.

When choosing a professional, look for someone who works with children or teenagers and has experience with chronic illness, medical anxiety or health-related concerns.

You can ask your GP, paediatrician or IBD team for recommendations. It may also help to ask whether the psychologist offers appointments for parents or family sessions.

💰 Can Medicare help with psychology costs?

Medicare may help cover some psychological treatment costs for eligible patients.

Under the Australian Government’s Better Access initiative, eligible people may receive

Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual and 10 group psychological treatment services per calendar year. Eligibility requirements apply, including assessment for a clinically diagnosed mental health condition and an appropriate referral or treatment plan.

To explore this option:

1. Make an appointment with your GP to discuss your child’s emotional wellbeing.

2. Ask whether a mental health assessment and treatment plan are appropriate.

3. Ask about referral options for a psychologist or another eligible mental health professional.

4. Check the provider’s fees and Medicare rebate before booking.

Medicare rebates may not cover the full appointment cost, so ask about any gap fee. Some providers bulk bill eligible patients, while others charge privately.

You can find more information through Medicare Mental Health.

🏡 Free mental health support for children and families

You do not always need a private psychologist or a GP referral to access support. Depending on your child's age, needs and location, free services may be available.

Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs

Kids Hubs provide support for children aged 0–12 experiencing mild to moderate emotional, developmental, relationship or behavioural challenges. Services may include assessment, therapy, parenting support and access to professionals such as psychologists and social workers. Availability and services vary by location.

Visit Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs to find out more.

Medicare Mental Health

If you are unsure where to start, Medicare Mental Health can help connect families with suitable local services. You can call 1800 595 212 for information and guidance. The service is free, and you do not need a GP referral to contact it.

Visit Medicare Mental Health for details.

📱 Support for teenagers

Teenagers may prefer speaking with someone outside their family, particularly if they feel embarrassed, overwhelmed or unsure how to explain what they are experiencing.

Kids Helpline offers free, private and confidential counselling for young people aged 5–25 across Australia, by phone and online, 24 hours a day.

• Phone: 1800 55 1800

• Website: Kids Helpline

  
  

Teenagers can contact the service about anxiety, friendships, school, family relationships or anything else that is worrying them. They do not need to be experiencing a crisis to reach out.

👨‍👩‍👧 Support for parents and carers

Parents can experience their own emotional challenges while caring for a child with IBD. You may be managing appointments, worrying about your child’s health, balancing work and family responsibilities or trying to support your child through difficult feelings.

Getting support for yourself is not selfish. It can help you feel less alone and better equipped to support your family.

Consider:

• Speaking with your GP about your own mental health.

• Asking your child’s hospital whether a social worker or family support service is available.

• Seeking counselling if stress or worry is affecting your everyday life.

• Talking with trusted friends or family members.

• Connecting with other parents who understand the realities of childhood IBD.

Crohn’s & Colitis Australia may also be able to direct you towards relevant information and support opportunities.

Visit Crohn’s & Colitis Australia.

🏫 Working with your child’s school

School can be a significant source of stress for children with IBD, particularly when they are worried about toilet access, falling behind on schoolwork or explaining their condition to classmates.

If your child is struggling emotionally at school, consider speaking with their teacher, school counsellor, wellbeing coordinator or learning support team.

Practical adjustments may include:

• Allowing immediate toilet access without needing to explain symptoms publicly.

• Providing flexibility around deadlines and absences.

• Identifying a trusted staff member your child can approach.

• Supporting a gradual return after a flare or hospital admission.

• Helping your child manage questions from classmates in a way that respects their privacy.

You can also use our IBD School Support Plan to help explain your child’s needs and discuss suitable adjustments with the school.

💙 How can you support your child at home?

You do not need to have all the answers to help your child feel supported. Small, consistent actions can make a difference.

Listen without rushing to fix things. Give your child space to explain what is worrying them, even if you cannot immediately change the situation.

Acknowledge their feelings. Let them know that it is understandable to feel frustrated, anxious or upset about living with IBD.

Keep communication open. Encourage questions about symptoms, treatment, school and friendships. Use age-appropriate language and answer honestly.

Protect their sense of normality. Whenever possible, make room for hobbies, friendships, sport and activities that help them feel like themselves beyond their diagnosis.

Involve them in decisions. As they grow, give them opportunities to express preferences about appointments, school support and how they explain IBD to others.

Notice when extra help may be needed. If your child withdraws from friends, becomes persistently anxious or sad, struggles to sleep, or finds everyday activities increasingly difficult, speak with their GP or IBD team.

🌱 When should you seek extra help?

Consider professional support if your child’s worries or emotions are persistent, getting worse or interfering with school, friendships, sleep or family life.

Seek urgent help if you are concerned that your child may hurt themselves or cannot stay safe. In an emergency in Australia, call 000. Kids Helpline is also available on 1800 55 1800 at any time for young people who need someone to talk to.

You do not need to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for help.

💙 Your family deserves support, too

IBD affects the whole family, not just the child who has been diagnosed. Emotional support can help children develop coping skills, build confidence and feel less alone, while giving parents practical ways to manage the challenges of caring for a child with a chronic condition.

Whether you start with your child’s IBD team, a GP, a psychologist or a free support service, reaching out is a positive step.

🔗 Where to find more information

• Crohn’s & Colitis Australia — information and support for people with IBD and their families.

• Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs — free mental health and wellbeing support for children aged 0–12 and their families.

• Medicare Mental Health — help finding mental health services, including free and low-cost options.

• Kids Helpline — free, confidential counselling for young people aged 5–25.

• healthdirect: Mental health treatment plans — information about accessing Medicare-subsidised psychological care.

This article provides general information for Australian families and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Service availability, costs and eligibility vary. Contact the relevant provider to confirm current arrangements.