Welcoming Kelly Slessor to the KidsXpress Board
KidsXpress is pleased to welcome Kelly Slessor to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the organisation’s governance and strategic capability.
Half of all adult mental health conditions start before age 14*. We’re here to change that.
Children’s mental health is shaped by their experiences and the relationships around them. Yet too often, children miss out on the support they need when those foundations are shaken. Without help, the effects of these challenges can grow with them into adulthood. That’s why KidsXpress combines expressive therapy with trauma-informed education services to support children under 12 and their caregivers — ensuring the right help, in the right way, at the right time.
(*National Mental Health Commission (2023)).
Our Annual Impact
Mental ill-health affects 1-in-7 Australian children, yet fewer than 25% are accessing care.
Without support, the impact of their condition can grow with them into lifelong challenges. We’re on a mission to change that.
6,271
students were reached by us in 2024 through our School Partnership Program, our centres and training programs.
2,405
educators, parents and caregivers were supported through our School Partnership Program, centres and training programs in 2024.
91.7%
of children who attended KidsXpress identified positive change in themselves.
(CORS, 2023 Term 2)
$1 : $2.76
is our cost benefit ratio, meaning that for every $1 invested in KidsXpress a return of $2.76 is generated in social value.
(DAE, 2015, p.46)
Our News
View Our Latest Updates 
Media Release
Major National Study Exposes the Scale of Childhood Trauma — 2 in 5 Australians Affected, With Lasting Health Consequences
KidsXpress Welcomes Two New Board Directors
KidsXpress welcomes two new Board Directors, Andrew Da Silva and Dr Andrew Young PhD, whose combined expertise in digital transformation, generative AI, governance and social impact will help future-proof the organisation’s mission to support children’s emotional wellbeing through creativity, connection and innovation.
KidsXpress Statement on NDIS Review of Music and Art Therapy
KidsXpress welcomes the government’s formal recognition of music and art therapy as evidence-based interventions under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), following a review commissioned in November 2024.
KidsXpress named Social Impact Partner by Future Generation Australia (ASX: FGX)
KidsXpress is proud to join Future Generation Australia’s national portfolio of charities supporting vulnerable children. This multi-year partnership will provide vital funding and capacity-building support, helping us expand our trauma-informed programs so more children can heal, learn and thrive.
Announcing our new board chair: Paul Hines
KidsXpress is entering an exciting new chapter as Co-Founder Paul Hines steps into the role of Board Chair. With our 20th anniversary on the horizon, Paul shares his bold vision for growth, impact, and reaching more children in need.
Ava and the Drums
During one session, 8 year old Ava* who’d been referred to our Macquarie Park centre, was invited to choose an instrument to play. She gravitated toward the drums, and as she began to play, her movements were loud, erratic and forceful.
Building Teacher Capacity at a Northern Rivers School
In the wake of the devastating 2022 Northern Rivers floods, a dedicated Learning Support team at a small Northern Rivers public primary school embarked on a mission to better support their trauma-impacted students.
Helping Lily beat the brain bully
Anxiety is a brain bully. In its extreme form it lies, it deceives, and it doesn’t give you a moment of peace, even when sleeping.
Nadia's Triumph
Nine year-old Nadia, has been grappling with anxiety ever since the COVID lockdowns.
Emily's Story
At just ten years old, Emily* faced a distressing situation, common to many schoolchildren but one that none should have to endure
Media Release
KidsXpress calls for more government support to increase access to mental health services for children aged 12 and under.
Instagram Feed
@kidsxpressmentalhealth Slow, deep breathing helps calm a child’s nervous system by signalling that they are safe.
When children breathe into their belly and slowly lengthen the exhale, the stress response begins to settle and their thinking brain can switch back on.
And being listened to builds trust which builds safety which in turn builds resilience. It`s all connected.
#TestimonialTuesday #ParentingSupport #EmotionalRegulation #TraumaInformed #KidsXpress
International Women’s Day often focuses on leadership, visibility and voice.
In schools, some girls are overlooked precisely because they are quiet.
🔹 They don’t disrupt.
🔹 They internalise.
🔹 They over-function.
🔹 They carry worry, perfectionism and self-blame without drawing attention to themselves.
When distress is silent, it is easy to miss.
Balancing the scales in children’s mental health means noticing the girls who don’t cause problems — and ensuring they have access to safe, trauma-informed support before stress becomes crisis.
Every child deserves to be seen, heard and supported.
#IWD2026 #BalanceTheScales #ChildMentalHealth #TraumaInformed #KidsXpress
This came from a 9-year-old child in Expressive Therapy at our Macquarie Park centre.
When we asked if KidsXpress had been helpful, they said: “Having someone to talk to.”
That was it.
For children, being able to say what’s sitting inside - without being corrected, rushed or fixed - matters deeply. When they feel genuinely listened to, their body softens. They don’t have to keep everything bottled up.
As parents, we can’t always be the only place our children unpack their feelings. Sometimes having another safe adult alongside them makes all the difference. For this child, it was their KidsXpress therapist but teachers, sports coaches and tutors are often other safe adults children turn to every day.
Being heard is often where healing begins.
#TestimonialTuesday #safeadults #selfexpression #expressivetherapy #mentalhealth
When the world feels unstable, children feel it too.
Even if conflict is happening far away, constant headlines and adult conversations can leave children feeling confused, worried or unsettled.
You don’t need perfect words. You don’t need to explain geopolitics.
You need calm. Safety. Connection.
Here are some gentle, expressive-therapy-informed ways to support your child when the news feels frightening.
#KidsXpress #ChildMentalHealth #ParentingSupport #EmotionalWellbeing #RaisingResilientKids #Trauma-Informed #ExpressiveTherapy #CreativeArtsTherapy
Anger is often protecting something else... fear, shame, sadness or overwhelm. If we respond only to the anger, we escalate it.
Instead try:
• “Something feels big right now.”
• “I’m here, tell me what you need from me right now."
• “Let’s breathe first.”
Regulation before reasoning is vital and sometimes that can look like just sitting quietly with your child until they`re ready to process or express what they`re feeling. When children feel safe enough to express what’s underneath, that`s when the root of the issue manifests and behaviour shifts.
#parenting #expressivetherapy #mentalhealth #emotionalregulation #kidsxpress
Every child deserves support before struggles become crises.
Because of this partnership, more children can access expressive therapy in the place they spend most of their day - school.
Thank you People First Bank Foundation for standing with children and their wellbeing. ❤️
@peoplefirstbankau
#TYT #ThankyouThursday
