New national survey to track mental health among young Australians
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) will co-lead Australia’s third National Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing along with Curtin University thanks to $8.1 million awarded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
The landmark Young Minds: Our Future survey aims to update national rates of mental disorders among Australian children and adolescents.
Building on the insights from previous surveys, the study will involve face-to-face interviews with 6,500 primary carers of Australian children aged between four and 17 years and invite young people aged 11 to 17 years to complete a questionnaire.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention the Hon Emma McBride said a better understanding of child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing will shape more tailored mental health services to meet their needs.
“This research will also help health professionals and families to better understand the factors that contribute to mental ill-health in children and adolescents,” Assistant Minister McBride said.
“The Australian Government is committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians, and to do this we must begin by supporting our children and young people to thrive.”
Professor David Lawrence from Curtin University, who also led the previous nationwide survey ‘Young Minds Matter’ conducted in 2013, said this fresh study provides a vital opportunity to track changes in mental health trends over the past decade.
“The last survey revealed one in seven Australians aged four to 17 years had a mental disorder, with only 56 per cent having received help in the year prior to the survey,” Professor Lawrence said.
Associate Professor Divna Haslam from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health said updated data is long overdue.
“There have been lots of changes in Australia since that last survey was conducted,” Dr Haslam said.
“There have been changes in the economy, people’s outlooks on the future and the influence social media has on people.
“Educational expectations have changed in the past decade and the pandemic has also had an impact on society.”
Associate Professor Haslam said these challenges had heightened the pressures faced by children, adolescents and their families.
“Demand for mental health support has increased and many services are struggling to keep up,” she said.
“This third study, to be conducted by some of Australia’s leading experts in mental health epidemiology, will further our understanding of what children and families need to ensure our young people can develop into flourishing adults.
“In order to plan and implement appropriate mental health services and supports, we must better understand the wellbeing of our children and young people,” Dr Haslam said.
Associate Professor Holly Erskine and Professor James Scott from QCMHR are also key investigators in this research.
This article was first published by The University of Queensland's Faculty of Medicine on 12 September 2024.