With new national data showing there are just as many young people experiencing mental health issues today as there were in 1998, it’s clear that the role of prevention and early intervention services in our mental health system must be emphasised.
The new report, released by the Federal Government on Friday, shows that one in seven children and young people have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months, and one in 13 teenagers have also contemplated suicide.
“Mental health remains the single biggest health challenge facing young Australians, and it’s clear that the current system isn’t preventing mental illness as well as it could,” says ReachOut Australia CEO Jono Nicholas.
The report also shows that the number of young Australians seeking help has doubled compared with 15 years ago, and that one in five teens have used internet services for help, or to access information about mental health problems.
“These statistics reflect what we’re seeing at ReachOut. In any given month, approximately 60,000 young Australians visit the site – nearly three-quarters of whom have not previously accessed help from another mental health professional.
“For young people with a mental health difficulty, ReachOut is a crucial first step in connecting with further help before an illness becomes more severe.
“It’s encouraging that young people are reaching out for help, and we can see that ReachOut remains as important today as it was when we launched in 1998.”
Key findings from the report:
Learn more about the report’s findings via the Department of Health: The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents.
For peer support and to learn more about what they’re going through, young people can turn to ReachOut.com from anywhere and at any time.
National 24/7 crisis phone services include Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
The new report, released by the Federal Government on Friday, shows that one in seven children and young people have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months, and one in 13 teenagers have also contemplated suicide.
“Mental health remains the single biggest health challenge facing young Australians, and it’s clear that the current system isn’t preventing mental illness as well as it could,” says ReachOut Australia CEO Jono Nicholas.
The report also shows that the number of young Australians seeking help has doubled compared with 15 years ago, and that one in five teens have used internet services for help, or to access information about mental health problems.
“These statistics reflect what we’re seeing at ReachOut. In any given month, approximately 60,000 young Australians visit the site – nearly three-quarters of whom have not previously accessed help from another mental health professional.
“For young people with a mental health difficulty, ReachOut is a crucial first step in connecting with further help before an illness becomes more severe.
“It’s encouraging that young people are reaching out for help, and we can see that ReachOut remains as important today as it was when we launched in 1998.”
Key findings from the report:
- The report is the largest since 1998, surveying over 6300 families, children and young people aged 4–17 years.
- One in seven children and young people experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months.
- The survey measured the severity of mental disorders experienced by children and young people for the first time, demonstrating the significant impact these have on different domains of life.
- Students with major depressive disorder averaged 20 absent days from school in the previous year.
- About one in 13 teenagers (aged 12 to 17) had also contemplated suicide.
- One in five (22%) teens aged 13–17 years had used internet services to find out more about mental health.
Learn more about the report’s findings via the Department of Health: The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents.
Need to talk to someone right now?
For peer support and to learn more about what they’re going through, young people can turn to ReachOut.com from anywhere and at any time.
National 24/7 crisis phone services include Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
Related links
- Groundbreaking Australian study finds thousands of children and teenagers suffer mental illness; Sydney Morning Herald, 7 August 2015.
- Number of children seeking help for mental health problems doubles since 1998, landmark survey shows; ABC News, 7 August 2015.
- Youth self-harm, suicide & depression rates ‘confronting’: Ley; The Hon Sussan Ley MP, 7 August 2015.
