mental health and young people: setting the scene
TRANSCRIPT
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