Commissioning and Youth Mental Health

Commissioning and Youth Mental Health

21 June 2016

Commissioning and Youth Mental Health

Young people are disproportionately affected by mental ill-health. Mental ill-health is the leading cause of disability for 10-24 year olds, accounting for almost half (45%) of the disease burden in this age group. The onset of mental ill-health peaks between the ages of 12 and 24 years and effects one in four young people every year. Yet young people are less likely to access health services.

The Australian Government has released a new mental health policy in response to the National Mental Health Commission’s review of mental health programmes and services. The policy gives the 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), established by the Australian Government responsibility for planning mental health services. For young people, headspace services will be integrated with broader youth services at a regional level.

Orygen has prepared the below policy brief to explore this change in commissioning model and how it could work to ensure the highest quality mental health services for young people.

Commissioning and youth mental health coverCommissioning and Youth Mental Health: Addressing an undertreated health issue