Young People's Priorities for Action

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The Young People’s Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Priorities for Action 2020-2025 (YPPA) guides the State Government, the Mental Health Commission (Commission) and other agencies, the mental health and AOD sector, and other stakeholders across the community, in supporting and responding to the mental health and AOD needs of young people aged 12 to 24 years.

Background

The YPPA was launched on 16 December 2020. The YPPA builds on previous plans, strategies and frameworks developed by government and non-government organisations. A list of these resources can be found here.

We know that 3 in 4 people with a mental illness develop symptoms before the age of 25; that there are gaps in young people’s access to services and help; and that non-health services and organisations are important in preventing mental illness from developing and facilitating recovery.

Poor mental health cost the Australian economy an estimated $200-$220 billion in 2018-19, before the substantial impacts of COVID-19.

The Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025 recognised the specific developmental challenges for young people, particularly regarding mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) in planning for future services. The State Priorities 2020-2024 further identified young people as a high priority group requiring specific focus over four years.

It is recognised that young people come into contact with a range of services and sectors, broader than the mental health and AOD sector alone. Also, that mental health and AOD issues of young people can be impacted by a wide range of social and economic factors. For this reason, the YPPA was developed in close partnership with the mental health and AOD sector, other government agencies, non-government organisations and key stakeholders including young people, their families and carers.

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 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, 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.

YPPA Report on Implementation 2021

On 13 May 2022, we released the Young People's Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Priorities for Action 2020-2025 - Report on Implementation 2021 (the Report) to guide current and future YPPA initiatives.

Download Report

The Report provided an update on progress made since the launch of the YPPA, to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 12 to 24 years.

Extensive stakeholder engagement was undertaken to develop the Report. We partnered with the Youth Mental Health Sub Network and the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (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 on Implementation 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.