Curtin University will lead a national study into the mental health and wellbeing of children aged 4 to 17, with support from an $8.1 million investment from the Albanese Government.
This new study – known as Young Minds: Our Future – will provide an updated understanding of the mental health of Australian children and adolescents.
It will be used to plan and improve mental health services for children and adolescents and provide benchmarks to track progress towards improved child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing.
The mental health and wellbeing of this age group was last studied a decade ago in the Young Minds Matter study. Since then, there has been increasing demand for mental health services, and more complex mental ill-health emerging earlier in life.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that young people aged 16 to 24 have the highest rate of mental ill-health across all age groups, with almost 40 per cent of young people experiencing mental ill-health in the previous 12 months, with anxiety disorders being the most common.
There are no similar statistics for children under 16, and the data from the Young Minds Matter study does not reflect the challenges children and adolescents face today.
The study will be designed in consultation with young people who have lived experience of mental ill-health and their carers.
Researchers at Curtin University will collaborate with child and adolescent mental health experts across Australia, including at the University of Queensland.
The study will commence in late 2025, with results expected to be released in 2027.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“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.
“The Albanese 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.”
