Addressing the alarming crisis in youth mental health
Today marks a significant moment in the global conversation on youth mental health with the publication of The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health. This report, the result of four years of rigorous research by over 50 leading experts, highlights a growing crisis that demands urgent attention and action. As a charity dedicated to supporting young people in the Far North Coast of NSW, Human Nature recognizes the critical importance of these findings and the call for systemic change.
The crisis at hand
The report paints a stark picture: the mental health of young people worldwide has been in decline over the past two decades. In Australia, Professor Patrick McGorry, the report’s lead author, has sounded the alarm on a 50% increase in the need for mental health care among young people over the last 15 to 20 years. The existing healthcare models, which disrupt care at age 18, are failing to meet the needs of young people, leading to tragic outcomes such as increased disability, lost potential, and premature death.
Professor McGorry’s assessment that “governments are failing young people” resonates deeply with us at Human Nature. Our work across the Far North Coast of NSW has shown us firsthand the gaps in the system and the dire consequences for young people who fall through these cracks.
A new model for youth mental health
The report calls for a new model of care for individuals aged 12 to 25 – one that offers multi-disciplinary, wraparound support. This approach is not just a recommendation for the future; it is something we have been pioneering at Human Nature for 14-18 year olds. Our evidence informed , nature-based assertive outreach model, combined with a multi-disciplinary team of social workers, psychologists, counselors and youth mentors, has resulted in an engagement rate of 95% – far above the sector average. This means that the vast majority of young people we work with continue their therapeutic journey for ten sessions or more, a key predictor of positive outcomes.
Key findings and our approach
The Lancet report outlines several key elements of youth mental health care that are critical for success – many of which align with the practices we have already embedded in our service delivery:
- Youth engagement and participation: At Human Nature, young people co-design their therapeutic journey, ensuring that the care they receive is truly responsive to their needs. Our feedback-informed therapy model allows us to adapt and evolve based on ongoing input from our clients.
- Soft entry to care that is affordable: Human Nature is committed to overcoming the barriers young people face to accessing support by offering our services free, with our practitioners traveling to the young person and taking the time to understand their unique needs.
- Holistic, optimistic approach: Our interventions are evidence-based and highly tailored, guided by shared decision-making between our multidisciplinary team and the young person.
- Strong community connections: We build robust partnerships with schools and other institutions, ensuring that young people have support systems in place across all areas of their lives.
A call to action
The findings of The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health should serve as a wake-up call for all of us – policymakers, practitioners and communities alike. The current system is not enough. At Human Nature, we are committed to leading by example, continuing to innovate and advocate for the mental health of young people. The time for change is now, and together, we can create a future where every young person has the support they need to thrive.
