Young minds really do matter

The Young Minds Matter survey has shown mental health services should be overhauled to ensure they are tailor-made to meet the needs of a new generation.

The Kids Research Institute Australia is playing a crucial role in showing how mental health services should be overhauled to ensure they are tailor-made to meet the pressing needs of a new generation of kids.

Kids who live with their smart phone in their pocket are constantly connected to the internet and surrounded by concerns about climate change and global unrest.

First published Wednesday 25 May 2016.

What's next?

Promote the results of the Young Minds Matter survey to researchers, families and service providers to use via the Australian Data Archive.
Work to expand the survey to cover the mental health of Indigenous youth.

Key results of the 2nd survey

Fewer now have ADHD and conduct disorder but there has been an increase in the number of adolescents with major depressive disorder.
Adolescent girls had high levels of distress. One in five aged 16-17 years met diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, one in six had self-harmed in the past 12 months and one in 20 had attempted suicide in that time frame.
More than 50 per cent of young people with a mental health condition were receiving some kind of help and almost 90 per cent of those with serious disorders were getting help.
Schools play a key role in identification and management, with a school staff member among those to suggest that some help for emotional or behavioural problems was needed in 40 per cent of cases.

Media Contacts

Simone Knox, Media and Content Manager
0437 575 875 simone.knox@thekids.org.au

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