How common are mental health concerns in young people?
Between 2022 - 2023 almost half of young females (45.5 per cent) and one third of young males (32.4 per cent) aged 16–24 years reported a mental health disorder in that 12-month period, with anxiety disorders being the most common (ABS, 2023). In 2022, Council found that one in four young people consulted identified mental health and wellbeing as a significant area of concern for them. According to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network and Beyond Blue, over 75% of mental health problems occur before the age of 25.
What is stigma?
Stigma is when others see someone in a negative light due to a factor linked to them, in this case due to their mental health this may be their perceived or actual mental illness. Stigma can be a large barrier for individuals to seek help and can lead to poorer outcomes. Stigma can lead to feelings of shame, lack of openness with family or friends, self-doubt and can further negatively impact mental health and wellbeing. Mental health stigma with young people needs to be overcome.
What helps to battle stigma?
- Tackling stigma may involve an entire family and friendship network, it often goes beyond the individual.
- Education around the realities of mental health and mental illness including the prevalence can help destigmatise.
- Personal experiences with individuals who experience mental illness also help debunk myths and stereotypes.
- Hearing stories and experiences from relatable people can also help dispel preconceived negative ideas.
A Young Person’s experience accessing mental health support and stigma:
“My experiences have been quite varied when accessing mental health support”
“This has been influenced by a variety of factors including: wait times, supportive or unhelpful interactions with health staff, no warm-handover and no follow up support, restrictive service eligibility criteria making me feel "too complex"”
“Services and the appearance and upkeep of the service [is important]: if a treatment clinic looks ominous/unfriendly/dark/old”
“Young people are so strongly influenced by their peers that 'word of mouth' and the experiences shared by others can often change whether or not a young person seeks treatment”
“I am now in touch with an amazing service, who have seen me for over two years”
