YFS - Non-systemic barriers to young people’s use of mental health services

This is a youth-friendly summary of Non-systemic barriers to young people’s use of mental health services report. This summary reflects the opinions of QFCC Youth Advocates. For research matters, please see for the original documentation click here.

Please be advised that the content on this page discusses mental health, which may be confronting for some readers. If you need support or resources, please reach out or visit our resources here.

Mental health issues in young people are common but undertreated. Mental health-related stigma and lack of knowledge about mental health services can be barriers to young people seeking help from services. However, simple interventions can reduce stigma, increase knowledge, and encourage young people to seek help. We (the QFCC) advocates for a focus on reducing stigma and increasing knowledge of services to encourage young people to seek help for mental health concerns.

Incidence and importance

Mental health issues are common among young people. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2020-21, 40% of people aged 16-24 years had experienced a mental disorder in the past 12 months. According to our Growing Up in Queensland report in 2020, 33% of young people aged 13-18 years reported having an emotional or mental health condition. Mental health is considered the most important issue for young people today, with 27% of participants in the survey expressing this view.

Use of mental health services

Using mental health services is important as they can reduce symptoms and provide support. Services can help reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety, which are common mental health issues among young people. They can also assist in reducing self-harm, improving emotion regulation skills, and addressing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. However, despite their effectiveness, mental health services are underused. Only 65% of young people with mental health disorders have used a service in the past 12 months.

Barriers to use of mental health services

Young people face barriers when seeking mental health support. These barriers include waiting times and costs to access services. The government is taking steps to address these systemic barriers through initiatives such as Medicare-subsidized psychology appointments and the expansion of the headspace network. Other barriers relate to the individual, including a preference for self-reliance, reluctance to express emotions, and concerns about confidentiality. In this report, we focus on mental health-related stigma and lack of knowledge as common barriers to help-seeking.

Stigma

Stigma refers to negative perceptions and stereotypes about people with mental illness. Stigma affects help-seeking as individuals may fear judgment or discrimination. Many young people in Australia perceive mental illness as not being accepted by society, leading to feelings of shame and reluctance to seek help. Stigma can be especially significant for certain people, such as First Nations peoples and those living in rural communities.

Interventions to reduce stigma

Interventions have been developed to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking intentions. These interventions include providing information about mental health, encouraging open discussions, increasing empathy, and showcasing relatable public figures with mental illness. Contact with individuals who have lived experiences of mental illness is particularly helpful in reducing stigma. Various resources and activities, such as posters, social media advertising, and workshops, have been used successfully in these interventions.

Lack of knowledge

Lack of knowledge about available mental health services and how to navigate the healthcare system is a common barrier to seeking help. Many young people are unaware of services in their community or online that can provide support. Even for those aware of services, the mental health care system can be confusing and intimidating, with concerns about confidentiality and parental consent.

Interventions to increase knowledge

Simple interventions and resources have proven effective in increasing young people's knowledge about mental health services. These include posters, pamphlets, advertisements, and mental health education in schools. School-based interventions have shown positive outcomes, and young people express a desire for mental health education to be delivered in schools.

Implications

To encourage young people to seek help for mental health issues, it is important to address various forms of stigma and provide information about service availability.

Conclusion

Mental health concerns are common in young people. Professional support can be helpful, but many young people do not seek help. Barriers to help-seeking include mental health-related stigma and lack of knowledge regarding the mental health care system. However, simple interventions can address these barriers. We are advocating for the inclusion of stigma and knowledge as targets in interventions aimed at increasing help-seeking for mental health concerns in young people

Please note that this youth friendly version is a viewpoint of a QFCC Youth Advocate. For research matters please see for the original documentation click here.