Australia’s Youth Mental Health Crisis

DONATE TODAY

Declining mental health is an urgent situation, especially for our young people.

Australia is struggling under the tightening grip of a mental health crisis. And it is our young Australians, our children and our grandchildren, who are most at risk.

They desperately need our help, before it is too late

Increasing numbers of young people are trapped in the darkness of anxiety and depression and are struggling to find a way through.

While anxiety and depression may not sound ‘severe’, the grave concern is that if not detected and managed early, they can quickly lead to more serious health problems such as substance use disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, self-harm and even suicide.

Tragically, suicide was the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-49 years in 2019

The number of young people seeking help is a tidal wave and the system is struggling to cope. Long waiting times of up to 6 months to make a booking with a psychologist or psychiatrist are being reported, especially in regional areas.

There is no time to wait

Research shows that earlier intervention, targeted at the time of the onset of the mental health issues, can lead to better health outcomes in adulthood.

This is an area of focus for QIMR Berghofer’s passionate and committed researchers from the Child and Youth Mental Health Group, who are rallying to have a real impact.

 

A True Story from a Mother on the Frontline of Families in Crisis  

This Mother’s personal experience with her son’s mental health crisis is far too common for an increasing number of Australian families.

If they say there is nothing going on, look more closely, dig deeper…you don’t really know what is going on when they are alone in their bedrooms…on their phone, their computer…

With my son Tom, I think it started with an online forum.

Tom was 15 years old at the time, with excellent marks at school, and performing at a high level in his sport. I didn’t notice anything was wrong. But then one afternoon, I received a phone call from the father of one of Tom’s best friends, Mark.Mark had seen something Tom had written on an online forum that worried him greatly and had confided in his Dad. His Dad then called me, and what he said next came as a complete shock. He said that Tom had written on an online forum that he was going to kill himself on certain date. I was absolutely floored… Read more

Our research is developing new options to help address the youth mental health crisis

Research shows that earlier intervention, targeted at the time of the onset of the mental health issues, can lead to better health outcomes in adulthood.

It is estimated that about 50% of all mental disorders have their onset by age 14, and 75% by age 24. It is critical that we can target interventions early, before these conditions establish.

This is an area of focus for QIMR Berghofer’s passionate and committed researchers from the Child and Youth Mental Health Group, who are rallying to have a real impact.

Professor James Scott leads the Group at QIMR Berghofer. With almost 30 years of Clinical Psychiatry experience, Professor Scott knows the situation on the frontline is a true emergency… Read more

Letter from Professor Fabienne Mackay, Director & CEO


DONATE NOW

Thank you for your support of youth mental health.

At QIMR Berghofer, 100% of your donation goes directly towards supporting medical research, to teams like the Child and Youth Mental Health Group.

If you or a loved one need someone to talk to, call: