The youth mental health service system

Supporting the mental health of young carers

Young carers in Australia can experience significant and often hidden impacts on their mental health and wellbeing. While caring can foster resilience, empathy and a sense of responsibility, evidence shows that young carers experience higher rates of mental ill-health and suicide risk than their non-caring peers, and these impacts extend into adulthood. 

This policy report identifies three priority areas for action:

• Improving the identification of young carers
• Increasing access to developmentally appropriate mental health support
• Strengthening the capacity of systems and workforces to respond to young carers