Statewide Ed-LinQ program

The Ed-LinQ Program (Ed-LinQ) was established in 2009 to improve linkages and service integration between the education sector (Department of Education and Training, Catholic Education, and Independent Schools), primary care, community and mental health sectors to support the early detection and collaborative care of school-aged children and young people at risk of – or experiencing – mental health problems or mental illness.

Ed-LinQ is a service that does not work with young people or parents/carers directly. Ed-LinQ works with schools and service providers to facilitate early access to mental health advice.
If you are concerned about your child’s mental health and the matter is urgent, please contact your local hospital.

If the matter is not urgent, contact your GP, local Child and Youth Mental Health Service or school (Principal, Guidance Counsellor, School Based Youth Health Nurse) to discuss your concerns. Your child’s school or the local mental health service will be able to contact the Ed-LinQ Coordinator for you.

The key focus areas for Ed-LinQ coordinators are:

Provision of school based consultation liaison

Ed-LinQ coordinators facilitate early access to mental health advice and, where warranted, timely assessment and collaborative care of those with more intensive needs.

Enhancing capacity

Ed-LinQ coordinators provide actions that increase the knowledge, skills and understanding of stakeholders regarding mental health problems and mental illness in children and young people and in regard to working collaboratively for better outcomes.

Fostering strategic partnerships

Ed-LinQ Coordinators facilitate partnerships and a shared understanding between health, education (Department of Education & Training, Catholic Education and Independent Schools Queensland), primary care and community stakeholders on ways to work together for early intervention of mental health problems in school aged children and young people.

If you work in a school, or provide services to school-aged children and young people at risk of – or experiencing – mental health problems or mental illness, please contact your local Ed-LinQ Coordinator to discuss how they may be able to support you.

Catchment area

Ed-LinQ Coordinators are currently located in 15 Hospital and Health Services across Queensland. Most are based in Child and Youth Mental Health Service delivery locations.

• Children’s Health Queensland
• Gold Coast
• Metro South
• West Moreton
• Redcliffe Caboolture
• Sunshine Coast
• Mackay
• North West HHS
• South West HHS
• Townsville
• Cairns and Hinterland
• Darling Downs
• Central Queensland
• Wide Bay
• Torres and Cape

Find your local CYMHS

Do I need a referral?

You do not need a formal referral to access this service.

How do I get a referral?

Referrals are accepted from:

• child and youth mental health clinicians
• School staff (principals, guidance staff, mental health coaches, teachers) from all education sectors
• school based youth health nurses
• non-government agency staff
• primary care providers (GPs)
• private clinical providers (ATAPS clinicians, private practitioners).

Other referral information

Ed-LinQ coordinators support schools and service providers. If you are seeking clinical mental health services, please contact your local Child and Youth Mental Health Service.

Information for health professionals

Ed-LinQ coordinators work to improve linkages and service integration between the education sector (Department of Education and Training, Catholic Education, and Independent Schools), primary care, community and mental health sectors to support the early detection and collaborative care of school-aged children and young people at risk of – or experiencing – mental health problems or mental illness.

Referral instructions

Please contact your local Ed-LinQ Coordinator directly to discuss your support requirements.

Useful links

COVID-19 and your child’s health
Kids Matter
MindMatters
Queensland Mental Health Commission
Student Wellbeing Hub