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Thriving Kids started on 1 October. If you’re a parent of a young child, or a GP, school or support coordinator who refe...
19/10/2026

Thriving Kids started on 1 October. If you’re a parent of a young child, or a GP, school or support coordinator who refers families, there’s a lot of noise right now. Here’s what has changed so far and what hasn’t 👇

What’s new

Thriving Kids is a new national program for children aged 8 and under who have developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. Right now it offers:

- An information hub run by the Raising Children Network
- A national phone line on 1800 882 436 (7am to midnight, 7 days). Maternal and child health nurses answer questions about development and behaviour.
- An autism helpline on 1300 654 789 (weekdays 8am to 7pm), including for families still waiting on an assessment.

From November, GPs will offer a Medicare Healthy Kids Check for 3 year olds. Targeted supports, which may include psychologists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists, are due to start rolling out from January 2027.

What hasn’t changed

Nothing changes about NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028. Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs stay in the NDIS. If your child has an NDIS plan, it stays as it is.

What’s still unclear

How allied health professionals will fit into the targeted supports is still being worked out, and arrangements may differ between states.

Our advice is simple: don’t wait. If you’re worried about your child’s speech, behaviour, play or development, you can start now. Talk to your GP. You can also contact us directly about psychology, occupational therapy or speech pathology at our Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Geelong, and Melton clinics.

Contact details: www.ansahealth.com
Email: [email protected] and Phone: 1300 673 157

Making room for rest.In the middle of our daily routines, responsibilities, and to-do lists, rest can sometimes be the f...
16/10/2026

Making room for rest.

In the middle of our daily routines, responsibilities, and to-do lists, rest can sometimes be the first thing we put aside.

But rest doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. It might look like taking a quiet moment, going for a walk, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying something that brings you joy.

Rest looks different for everyone, and that’s okay. What matters is finding moments to pause, recharge, and care for yourself.

This is your gentle reminder that you don’t have to earn your rest. 🤍

14/10/2026

"I’m so OCD about my desk!”

Being clean, organised or particular about how things are arranged doesn’t mean you have OCD. And casually using the term to describe neatness can reinforce harmful misconceptions about a condition that can be deeply distressing and debilitating for those who
experience it.

For people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it’s about much more than being tidy.

This OCD Awareness Week, let’s talk about what OCD can really look like, particularly in children and teenagers.

OCD affects around 1 in 50 people, with approximately 60% noticing symptoms before the age of 20. Yet Australian research has found that it takes almost 9 years, on average, to receive a diagnosis.

One reason OCD can go unrecognised is that it doesn’t always look like the stereotypes we see portrayed. In children and teenagers, it might look like:

👉 Asking the same question repeatedly to seek reassurance
👉 Taking an unusually long time to leave the house, shower or finish homework because things have to feel “just right”
👉 Avoiding certain objects, places or numbers
👉 Experiencing intense distress when a routine is interrupted
👉 Repeatedly confessing or apologising for things that don’t require an apology

Behind these behaviours can be intrusive, unwanted thoughts that feel impossible to switch off, alongside compulsions or rituals that may temporarily ease anxiety, only for the distress to return. These experiences can be exhausting, frightening and isolating.

Many young people hide what they’re going through because their thoughts feel confusing, embarrassing or distressing.

So, why does the language we use matter?

When we use “OCD” as shorthand for being neat, tidy or organised, we risk trivialising a serious mental health condition and making it harder for people experiencing genuine OCD to feel understood.

Let’s move beyond the stereotypes. OCD isn’t a personality quirk, a preference for cleanliness or simply liking things a certain way. It can significantly affect a person’s daily life, relationships, education and wellbeing.

The good news is that OCD is well understood, and evidence-based psychological treatments are available.

If you’re concerned about yourself or your child, speaking with a GP or psychologist is a helpful first step.

This OCD Awareness Week, let’s choose understanding over assumptions, and compassion over casual labels.

Happy Allied Health Professions Day 2026!This year’s theme, “Allied health: For everyone, everywhere,” reminds us that e...
14/10/2026

Happy Allied Health Professions Day 2026!

This year’s theme, “Allied health: For everyone, everywhere,” reminds us that everyone deserves access to care, support, and opportunities to thrive.

At ANSA Health, we recognise the importance of working together across professions to support the mental health, wellbeing, and everyday participation of individuals and families in our community.

Today, we celebrate our allied health professionals and the compassion, collaboration, and dedication they bring to the people they support every day. 💚

Because meaningful progress happens when we work together.

12/10/2026

This week is OCD Awareness Week, so it's a good time to talk about what the condition really is.

OCD affects about 1 in 50 people. Around 60% of them notice symptoms before they turn 20. And Australian research has found it takes almost 9 years, on average, to get a diagnosis.

Part of the reason is that OCD in children and teenagers often doesn't look like cleaning or neatness. It can look like:

👉 Asking the same question again and again for reassurance
👉 Taking a very long time to leave the house, shower or finish homework because something has to feel "just right"
👉 Avoiding certain objects, places or numbers
👉 Big distress when a routine is interrupted
👉 Confessing or apologising for things that don't need it

Underneath are intrusive thoughts the young person can't switch off and rituals that bring relief for a moment before the worry comes back. Many kids hide it because the thoughts feel frightening or embarrassing.

If this sounds familiar, a GP or psychologist is a good first step. OCD is well understood and there are established psychological treatments for it.

10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day | Together We Thrive

A gentle reminder from ANSA Health: You don’t have to have everything figured out to be doing okay.

Some days are harder than others, and that’s part of being human. Take a moment to pause, reach out, or simply give yourself a little grace.

You don’t have to go through it alone. We thrive when we feel supported, connected, and understood.

Together, we thrive.

October is Mental Health Month and this year's national theme from Mental Health Australia is “Together we thrive”.It's ...
09/10/2026

October is Mental Health Month and this year's national theme from Mental Health Australia is “Together we thrive”.

It's a good moment to say something about how we work.

Our name, ANSA, is Latin for loop. We chose it because care works best when it connects back on itself.

Since January, more than 3,000 people have contacted our clinics asking for support. About 1/3 were children and teenagers. The rest were adults of every age, from people in their 20s to people in their 70s.

More than half of them listed more than one concern:

- Anxiety and trouble sleeping
- Stress at work and a relationship under strain
- A child's behaviour and how they're going at school

That's how life tends to go. Things rarely arrive one at a time and they affect each other.

So we've built our clinics around teams. Depending on the location, that can mean psychologists working alongside occupational therapists, speech pathologists and dietitians. They talk to each other, which means you don't have to repeat your story at every appointment or work out on your own how the pieces fit.

This month we'll be sharing more of the practical content for individuals, parents, workplaces and anyone supporting someone they love. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, drop it in the comments.

07/10/2026

World Mental Health Day is this Saturday.

At some point a friend or colleague will tell you they're not doing well and your mind will go blank. Most of us are so worried about saying the wrong thing that we rush to fix it or change the subject.

You don't need a script. A few things help 👇

Slow down. Put your phone away and give them your full attention. That alone tells them it was safe to say it.

Listen more than you talk. "That sounds really hard" does more than advice. You don't have to solve anything in this conversation.

Ask what would help. Some people want practical support, like help booking a GP appointment. Others just want company. It's fine to ask which.

Be honest about your limits. If you're worried about their safety, say so and don't promise to keep it to yourself.

Check back in. A message a few days later saying "I've been thinking about you" matters more than getting the first conversation perfect.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. Lifeline is available any time on 13 11 14.

Little moments can make a big difference! Supporting your child’s speech and language doesn’t need special toys or activ...
06/10/2026

Little moments can make a big difference!

Supporting your child’s speech and language doesn’t need special toys or activities. Everyday routines, play and conversations are full of opportunities to connect, listen and communicate.

Swipe through for 10 simple ways to support communication at home! ✨

💙 Mental Health at Work: Let's Start the ConversationOur workplaces play an important role in our overall wellbeing. Thi...
05/10/2026

💙 Mental Health at Work: Let's Start the Conversation

Our workplaces play an important role in our overall wellbeing. This Mental Health Month, let's take the opportunity to create workplaces where people feel supported, connected, and comfortable talking about their mental health.

Small actions can make a big difference:

💬 Check in with a colleague
👂 Listen without judgement
🤝 Build meaningful connections
🌿 Encourage healthy boundaries
💙 Know where to access support

Want to learn more? Join Dr Veronica Johnston for a live session on Thursday, 8th October at 12:00pm to explore practical strategies for supporting mental health and wellbeing at work.

If you are currently an Elevate by ANSA client, simply log into the portal to join the event.

If you are not an Elevate by ANSA client, you are still very welcome to attend! Just email [email protected] to request the event link.

At ANSA Health, we believe mental health is everyone's business. Together, we can create healthier workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive. 💙

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