The development and trial of a specialised peer work role is just one of the ideas put forward by an Orygen Institute-led group of stakeholders, who gathered at a Policy Lab in October to develop proposals on improving mental health care for young people living with chronic physical conditions.
The 18 Policy Lab participants included young people, youth mental health clinicians, GPs, academics, and representatives from Primary Health Networks, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, headspace National, and the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
Discussions highlighted the significant challenges faced by young people with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, particularly in accessing integrated support.
Despite the prevalence of mental ill-health in young people with chronic physical conditions, stakeholders identified gaps in initial assessment, training, service navigation and communication between health professionals.
Three proposals were developed in the Policy Lab:
Together, the stakeholders shared their expertise in an attempt to pave the way for a more integrated system of care for young people with chronic physical conditions, ensuring that all young people’s needs are met when they access youth mental health services.
About Policy Labs
The Policy Lab model, developed by the Policy Institute at King’s College London, is a structured workshop designed to explore the issues, questions, and evidence around a specific policy question, then focus on possible answers to the question and the mechanisms available to translate this into policy advice.
The inclusion of policymakers as participants in the lab allows for a focus on policy solutions that are feasible for governments, as well as building relationships between policymakers and those impacted by the issues.
About Orygen
Orygen is Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and is renowned globally as a pioneering organisation in the field.
With 75 per cent of all mental ill-health emerging by the age of 25, Orygen was established to address the urgent needs of young people aged 12–25 by bringing together expertise in clinical care, research, training, policy development and advocacy to realise one vision: for all young people to enjoy optimal mental health throughout their lives.