Understanding Adolescent Mental Health

The Challenge

Mental health issues in young people aged 10-24 are rising globally, with 10-20% experiencing severe symptoms such as self-harm and suicidal behaviour. In Australia, emergency department (ED) presentations, particularly among adolescent females, surged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review revealed that the lack of social support during this period exacerbated risk factors, leading to increased rates of depression, stress, and trauma among young people.

Project Overview 

Given that suicide is the leading cause of death amongst Australians aged 15-24, a study was vital in identifying the factors that are contributing towards poor mental health. This study focused on uncovering the clinical characteristics and underlying factors behind ED visits by young adults during COVID-19, intending to inform future public health interventions and improve models of care.

Project Objectives 

• Investigate clinical features and factors linked to mental health ED visits before and after Sydney’s lockdown.
• Identify common psychosocial triggers using the HEEADSSS assessment framework.

Data Collection

Data from 1,748 patients aged between 10-24 years old was analysed to understand demographics, disposition, and psychosocial triggers for ED visits.

Measuring Impact

Hearts and Minds measures its impact against six core categories as developed by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes. Key highlights include:

Advancing Knowledge

• Collaborations: Strong collaboration between RPA, Westmead and Concord Emergency Departments.‍
• Presentations: Findings presented at the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine Annual Scientific Conference 2023 and the Sydney Innovation & Research Symposium 2023.

Research Capacity Building

• ‍Diverse Team: More than half of the research staff are women, with a team comprised of emergency physicians, clinical nurse consultants, rotating emergency medicine registrar and research nurses from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds.

Health Impacts

• Evidence-Based Improvements: Improving mental healthcare with evidence-based knowledge is crucial to reduce the social and economic burdens of mental health and suicide amongst young people.‍
• Upskilling Health Professionals: Delivered training and education to ED clinicians across RPA and Westmead as well as broader emergency and healthcare professionals.

Economic Impacts

• ‍Reduced healthcare costs: Early and appropriate treatment can lower long-term healthcare expenses and improve outcomes.

Social Impacts

• Improved Access to Services: Developing care models that meet the needs of adolescents and their families and considerations for vulnerable groups with significant experiences of trauma, family dysfunction and isolation.‍
• Enhanced Connection: Better recognition and treatment of mental health issues help young people lead more active, connected lives including social participation and employment opportunities.

Informing Decisions

• Clinical Practice Improvements: This study highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of patient assessment and some of the gaps in clinical care that have been shared nationally.

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The study has helped to raise awareness and better understand the factors related to adolescent mental health, which is vital in developing models of care and reducing long-term health, social, and economic burdens in Australia.

‍Funding support from Hearts and Minds Investments, as nominated by Core Fund Manager, Regal Funds. This content was last updated in July 2024, for further information visit RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care.