Cleo Smith: Child psychologist weighs in on likely mental health impact

Child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg says experts will be looking at three areas to assess Cleo Smith’s mental health.

The four-year-old girl was rescued from a man’s house in the remote WA town of Carnarvon on Wednesday morning, 18 days after she went missing.

There was no-one else in the house at the time, and she was reportedly found in good health.

Dr Carr-Gregg told Neil there will be some signs that indicate how Cleo is coping.

“You’d be looking for, if you were assessing her, three areas,” he told Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings.

“One is cognitive – was she confused, was she disorientated by what’s transpired, and is that ongoing.

“Emotionally, is she still excessively frightened and anxious.

“And socially, is she able to once again resume her normal relationships with friend, is she able to go out, is she able to go to school.

“So those are the sorts of things we look at.”

Press PLAY to hear more below 

Image: Ellie Smith / Facebook