The Young People’s Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Priorities for Action 2020-2025 (YPPA) outlines actions across government and non-government agencies required to support and respond to the needs of young people aged 12 to 24 years.

Engagement Strategies

Prior to the release of the YPPA, we undertook a comprehensive consultation and engagement process to inform the YPPA development.

Stakeholder workshops

In October 2020, we held a series of workshops (two in-person workshops in Perth, and two virtual workshops) with representatives from State and Commonwealth Government agencies, and the mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services sector. A list of workshop attendees is available here.

Consultations with young people and carers

In September 2020, we engaged the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) to undertake targeted engagement with young people aged 12 to 24 years, to inform the development of the YPPA. 

YACWA developed two consultation reports, Youth Engagement and Carer Engagement.

Meetings, discussions and presentations

From September through to October 2020, we met with agencies, organisations and key stakeholders to discuss the development of the YPPA and to hear about the gaps, current responses and opportunities in addressing the mental health and AOD needs of young people in Western Australia. 

We partnered with the Youth Mental Health Sub Network and the YACWA to help ensure young people had different ways they could choose to be represented, engaged, and involved. 

Our Future, Our Priorities: Young People’s Priorities for Action 2021 Implementation Update highlights some key YPPA initiatives identified by young people. It also includes contact details of services young people, families and carers can access to seek free support.

The Report was released alongside a public art exhibition titled ‘Project Elevation’ featuring artwork from young artists with a mental health theme. Some of this artwork has been included within the Report or you can view the artwork below.

YPPA Progress Highlights 2022-2023 provides an overview of progress made in implementing the YPPA in 2022-2023 and highlights advances in selected key initiatives. 

For enquiries about the YPPA project, please email strategicpolicy@mhc.wa.gov.au. 

Artwork by Young People

We are pleased to showcase the large number of artworks that were submitted as part of the development of the YPPA Report on Implementation. These submissions included works by Western Australian high school students, Project Elevation artists, and a trainee from the Commission. While they were not all able to be included in the Report, this showcase highlights the larger collection of art created by young artists who were part of the project.