Youth Mental Health

The aim of our team is to better understand mental health issues in young people and ensure that the best possible treatments are provided for those that experience poor mental health.

Our values:

• Quality research and innovation - We value rigorous scientific methodology, whilst embracing novel ways of working, new strategies and opportunities.
• Diversity – We acknowledge, embrace and advocate for the diversity and specific needs of young people, accepting young people as they are.
• Lived experience - We value the lived experiences of young people, families, and the community and use these views to inform our work.
• Translation - We aim to translate our research into the real world efficiently and effectively to make a meaningful and positive impact in young people’s lives as soon as possible.
• Collaboration - We work with other local, national and global research and community partners to ensure we are developing and implementing gold standard research in youth mental health.
• Empowerment – We ensure that young people are integral to the initiation and development of research priorities and projects, and that they are empowered as partners in the research process.

Strategic goals:

• We will develop, evaluate & implement novel interventions for and with young people
  We recognise the limitations of existing mental health interventions for young people and will think outside the box to develop new and more effective strategies to improve mental health and reduce suicide in this population. We will look to existing models and methods outside of our field to inspire and innovate.
  
  
• We will expand our research focus on vulnerable young people
  We know that some young people are at high risk of developing mental health difficulties. We will better understand the needs of these vulnerable groups and work in partnership with them to develop targeted, effective and acceptable interventions that address their specific needs.
  
  
• We will increase access to high quality, targeted mental health prevention and intervention programs for all young people
  Young people have needs that are distinct from both children and adults, however, these needs are not always met by current service delivery models. Often the most vulnerable young people experience the poorest access to intervention. We will understand the gaps in service provision, and actively seek to address them through our research. We will use digital technology, stakeholder consultation and collaboration to reduce the research-to-practice gap and streamline translation of our research into clinical practice and the community.
  
  
• We will build youth mental health research capacity in WA
  We will recruit the best and brightest staff and students at all levels. We will grow their capacity to become skilled, ethical and compassionate independent researchers. We will invest in team culture to attract and retain the best people possible.