As parents to three daughters, Aaron and Shelley Prentice spend a lot of their time worrying.

Key points: A new information expo hopes to link parents with mental health support services

A new information expo hopes to link parents with mental health support services Canberra principal Loretta Wholley says more teachers are serving as "accidental counsellors"

Canberra principal Loretta Wholley says more teachers are serving as "accidental counsellors" Parents are being urged to seek professional support for their kids and not rely solely on teachers

At the top of their list of worries is the mental health of their girls, who are aged 11, 12 and 13.

"It's a daily concern for us," Ms Prentice said.

With good reason, it seems.

The latest research from Mission Australia and the Black Dog Institute shows one in four young Australians are struggling with their mental health, and young women are twice as likely as young men to have experienced psychological distress over the past seven years.

In the Prentice household, open, honest communication is encouraged and the couple play a game around the dinner table each night to help them tap into their children's lives.

"It's so simple — we each say one thing that was really good about our day and then one thing that wasn't so good about our day and finish with another thing that was good about our day," Ms Prentice explained.

"It allows us to keep in tune with our kids and find out what's going on day-to-day in their lives."

It also gives the couple an opportunity to lead by example.

"We play too," Mr Prentice said.

"That way we can show them that having a bad day or feeling down about something is completely normal."

The Prentice family encourages open communication about both good and bad days. ( Supplied )

If one of their daughters were to start showing signs of stress, anxiety or depression, the Prentices said they were confident they would know where to start when it came to finding help.

"I think the school and the girls' teachers would be our first port of call," Ms Prentice said.

"They seem to have their finger on the pulse because they see what's going on every day."

More teachers becoming 'accidental counsellors'

Principal Loretta Wholley says, while teachers want to help and have some mental health knowledge, they are not experts. ( ABC News: Ben Harris )

Merici College principal Loretta Wholley said, while schools wanted to help their students, teachers acting as "accidental counsellors" for parents who were worried about their child's mental health was a trend she was seeing more of.

"Parents do come to us regularly," Ms Wholley said.

"Sometimes it's for higher level issues, but often it's to ask for help coming up with the best strategy when they want to have a conversation with their child — maybe it's a son who doesn't want to get out of bed or a daughter who has started to stop eating — and how they can make that connection."

If you or anyone needs help: Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 Headspace on 1800 650 890

Headspace on 1800 650 890 Lifeline on 13 11 14

Lifeline on 13 11 14 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 QLife on 1800 184 527

Ms Wholley said teachers were offered mental health first aid training and courses to help them spot signs that a student could be struggling, so they generally felt equipped to provide some support to parents.

"We see our role as conduits for parents wanting to find professional help," she said.

But Ms Wholley said often teachers felt under pressure to provide the best support and advice to parents.

"I'm not a mental health educator or a health professional. I'm a teacher and that's what I do best," she said.

"Teachers, overall, are under pressure and we can't do it alone."

Elizabeth Moore urges parents to seek professional help if they have concerns about their child's mental health. ( ABC News: Rosie King )

Psychiatrist Elizabeth Moore, the co-ordinator general for the ACT Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing, agreed teachers were equipped with basic mental health training and that parents should also seek professional help.

"In order to get a proper diagnosis and proper treatment, it's really important to get that expert help," she said.

Dr Moore says the approach Aaron and Shelley Prentice are taking is the right one. ( ABC News: Rosie King )

She said there was also plenty of useful information online from organisations like the Black Dog Institute, Headspace and Beyond Blue.

"They give good tips about how to talk to your child, advice around social media, which we know is a big issue, and also around bullying," Dr Moore said.

"If parents familiarise themselves with what's available online and find they're still concerned, then they should make an appointment with their general practitioner."

According to Dr Moore, the approach the Prentices were taking with their three daughters was the right one.

"Good communication channels are really important between parents and children, and that should start early," she said.

Connecting parents with mental health services

The expo offered parents and carers information and advice on how to connect with and support their children. ( ABC News: Rosie King )

The increasing demand on teachers prompted Ms Wholley to do more to bridge the gap.

The mother-of-two was the driving force behind an adolescent mental health and wellbeing expo for parents and carers of students attending eight of Canberra's Catholic schools.

"I was talking to other principals and there was a real desire to help parents connect with mental health agencies and services in Canberra," she said.

Last week hundreds of parents turned out to hear from a panel of experts on adolescent mental health and speak with representatives from a variety of organisations.

The event prompted such an overwhelming response, Ms Wholley said she was already considering making the expo an annual event.

"There is a yearning to do the right thing for our young people and find the right strategies to help them, and to do that together," she said.