Over the past two decades, there has been an alarming 50 per cent increase in rates of mental ill-health among Australian youth, exacerbated in part by the Covid pandemic, with up to 75 per cent of onsets occurring before the age of 25. This is according to a study led by Australian organisation Orygen.
The study called for far greater investment into better research, models of care and access to youth mental health care.
Our hearts go out to the young people in great need, and to their families.
Youth mental health is a major issue in our society, for young people, their families and also in our schools and universities. Never before have school leaders and universities faced such a critical health matter, adding pressures to educators, health providers and leaders to understand and provide appropriate care and support.
Last weekend the Barr family ran in the annual Run the Tan event around Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, supporting Amber’s White Light Foundation (AWL).
Have a read of their website at amberswhitelight.au and support the organisation in any way you can.
AWL raises funds, and awareness, for research into better treatment of young people vulnerable to complex mental health issues and suicide. Specifically, the research will focus on improving the experience of adolescents and young women and men who need better assessment, support services, safety planning and treatment.
Amber’s Alert is a vital new research project, to be undertaken by Monash University’s HER Centre. The project will see the utilisation of updated assessment tools and objective markers to offer improved diagnostic accuracy, and enhance treatment planning for people with mental health conditions in general healthcare settings.
Participating in the Run the Tan event for Amber’s White Light was not just a personal commitment from me and my family. We did it to help promote urgent change. The need for early intervention, improved diagnostics, and compassionate care resonate deeply with me, not only as community imperatives – we have a moral obligation to our young people. By supporting initiatives like AWL, Amber’s Alert and the ongoing work at Monash University’s HER Centre, we can help build a system that better serves vulnerable youth and honour the vision of a future where every young person receives the care they need, when they need it most.
Andrew Barr is Practice Lead – Education at Slade Group. He has taught and held Principal positions at schools in Victoria, the UK and Tasmania. Andrew was Regional Director of the Round Square Association, National Chair of AHISA and Director of the Principals Australia Institute. He completed a Bachelor of Economics and Master of Education Studies at Monash University and a Diploma of Education at the University of Sydney. Andrew remains very engaged in the NGO sector, including a focus on improving educational outcomes for First Nations children. Read more…
Andrew Barr
Practice Lead – Education
Tel: +61 400 762 660
abarr@sladegroup.com.au