Mental health and young people: Setting the scene

Mental health and young people: Setting the scene

Ellen Newman

Hunter Institute of Mental Health

The Hunter Institute of Mental Health is a leading national organisation dedicated to reducing mental illness and suicide and improving wellbeing for all Australians.

For more than 20 years we have been delivering successful, evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention programs from our base in Newcastle, NSW.

Mental illness

• 50% of people during their lifetime• Age of onset = 50% by 14 years, 75% by 24

years.

Mental illness in children and young people

• Almost 1 in 7 (13.9%) of 4-17 year olds past 12 months• Males more likely than females• Most common types of illness:

– ADHD (7.4%);

– Anxiety disorders (6.9%);

– Major depressive disorder (2.8%);

– Conduct disorder (2.1%).

*Young Minds Matter Survey 2015

Mental illness in young people

• Depression and anxiety most common: – 1 in 13 aged 11-17 years meet diagnostic criteria

for major depressive disorders;– 1 in 5 girls aged 16-17 years meet criteria;– 1 in 5 aged 11-17 years had high or very high

levels of psychological distress.

Self-harm• In young people aged 12-17: – 1 in 10 had ever self-harmed.

• In young women aged 16-17: – 16.8% had self-harmed in past year.

• Self-harm more common in:– Girls vs boys;

– Older adolescents vs. young adolescents.

Suicidal behaviour• In young people aged 12-17 years:

– 1 in 13 had seriously considered suicide;

– 1 in 40 had attempted suicide.

• In young women aged 16-17 years: – 1 in 7 seriously considered suicide;

– 1 in 20 attempted suicide.

• Suicidal behaviours more common in:– Girls vs. boys;

– Older adolescents vs. young adolescents.

Key issues for young people

• Issues of most concern: – Coping with stress; – School or study problems;– Body image;– Depression;– Family conflict.

*Mission Australia Youth Survey 2013

• 1 in 4 young people are unhappy with their lives

Creating safe and supportive environments that promote wellbeing and personal development as well as learning. By providing opportunities to:• Build secure attachments• Establish and maintain respectful, trusting relationships• Develop a sense of belonging.

C H I L D

Helping children and young people develop effective social and emotional skills and manage their own behaviour.Provide experiences and activities that offer opportunities to:

• Understand emotions of self and others

• Develop empathy and respond to others feelings appropriately

• Learn effective social interaction with peers and pro-social skills.

C H I L D

Identifying children, young people and families who may be in need of additional support.

Teachers can pick up early signs of difficulties, such as:

• Decline in academic performance

• Avoiding new situations or missing lots of school

• Challenging behaviour occurring in multiple settings and persisting overtime.

C H I L D

Link children, young people and families with support and information services for mental health and wellbeing.

Teachers can do this by having:

• Knowledge of local support services

• Effective partnerships with parents, children and other agencies in the community

• Referring children and families to other agencies for further assessment, treatment and support when required.

C H I L D

Develop broader organisational, school and community strategies that support wellbeing. Teachers can also contribute to broader wellbeing strategies through:

• Policies and procedures for wellbeing

• A service goal or philosophy

• Documents, procedures and daily practices

• Staff orientation and training to key policies.

C H I L D

Questions? Ellen Newman

Projects [email protected]

www.responseability.org.au www.himh.org.au

02 4924 6900