Research

Assisting young people with, or at risk of, mental illness: a longitudinal study of NSW Youth Health Services.

The NSW Association for Youth Health is currently co-ordinating a research study evaluating NSW Youth Health Service delivery for marginalised young people. The objective of this study is to investigate whether these services are doing a good job and, whether NSW Youth Health Services are useful for young people who are feeling depressed or anxious. The Study will also explore the longitudinal impact that contact with youth health services has on the social functioning and social connectedness of the young people who participate in Youth Health Service programs.

It is anticipated that the outcomes of this research will have an impact on future service planning and funding for Youth Health Services in NSW. By exploring the impact of Youth Health Service Programs on the young people who use the programs, important information will be gathered about both the kinds of programs that young people experience as effective, and the kinds of programs that bring about positive changes in the young person over time.

The study is sponsored by beyondblue: the national depression initiative, and is being conducted in partnership with The Brain & Mind Research Institute.

How the research is being carried out...

Young people at selected Youth Health Services will be surveyed at 4 different time points over a 6 month period. This includes; initial screening, before, during and after their participation in particular Youth Health Service Programs.

The surveys have been designed to investigate the impact of the Youth Health Service on participant’s mental health as well as a range of other social and environmental risk factors (eg. homelessness, social exclusion and participation in work and education).

For more information about this Study, please contact Leanne Hall, Senior Research Officer, NSW Association for Youth Health on 02 9351 0956.