Young Minds Matter Key Results

What is it about?

Young Minds Matter sought to determine the prevalence of mental disorders in Australian children and adolescents, the burden associated with those disorders, and the use of services and unmet need for services in the health and education sectors. Approximately one in 7 Australian 4-17 year-olds were assessed as having had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, an estimated 560,000 children and adolescents. ADHD is the most common disorder (7.4%), followed by anxiety disorders (6.9%), major depressive disorders (2.8%) and conduct disorder (2.1%). Depression, self-harming and suicidal behaviours were more common in older adolescents particularly adolescent females. One in 12 adolescents aged 12-17 years had self-harmed in the previous 12 months. Girls aged 16-17 years experienced very high rates of distress, depression, self-harming and suicidal behaviours. Around one in 20 had attempted suicide in the previous 12 months.

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Why is it important?

Mental disorders are among the most common chronic disabling health problems in children and adolescents. Young Minds Matter is the second time that an Australian survey of the mental health of children and adolescents has been run. While there have been positive changes in children's and families' willingness to talk about mental health problems and seek help, there are still many children and families who don't receive the help they need at the time they most need it. The key findings from Young Minds Matter, presented in five papers in this edition of the journal, are provided to help policy makers and service providers continue the process of reforming mental health services for children and adolescents and their families.