Help transform a troubled young life today

Spring Appeal 2010

Mental health problems affect young people more than any other group. In fact, an alarming 40% of young people aged 16 to 24 have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their life.

This is why we need to take urgent action to tackle what has become an epidemic.

Transforming young lives – Mission Australia’s youth services

Mission Australia works with around 24,000 young Australians each year, many of whom are struggling with mental illness. We not only help to identify and treat their problems, we link young people to other services for further support.

We provide 93 youth services throughout the country to help young people combat their personal challenges.

• Triple Care Farm is believed to be one of the most successful programs of its kind in Australia in reaching out to emotionally hurt and troubled young people.
• Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI), is a unique service that provides free creative programs for young people aged 16 - 25 who are facing many and varied challenges in their lives, such as homelessness, mental health issues or family breakdown.
• Learning Unlimited - This program offered in South Australia works in partnership with schools to meet the needs of young people who are at risk of leaving school or home.
• The Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS), in inner city Perth, provides a safe and supported environment for young people aged 12 - 21 wishing to manage their withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs. The facility is the only youth-specific withdrawal unit in Western Australia.
• The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaM) aims to provide increased opportunities for recovery for people who have a severe functional limitation resulting from mental illness.

How will your donation make a difference?

The facts: youth mental health in Australia

• 75% of mental illnesses start between the ages of 15 and 25 ¹
• More than a quarter (26%) of people aged 16 to 24 have a mental disorder, including anxiety and affective substance use disorders.²
• Young people are more likely than older people to have a mental disorder ³
• 40% of young people aged 16 to 24 have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. ⁴
• 13% of young people aged 16 to 24 have a substance use disorder (such as harmful use and/or dependence on alcohol and/or drugs). ⁵
• 8.4% of women and 4.3% of men aged 16 to 24 have an affective disorder (disorders affecting mood or emotions). ⁵
• In 2007, 45% of Australians aged 16 to 85 years (or 7.3 million people) had at some point in their lifetime experienced at least one mental disorder (such as anxiety, mood or substance use disorders).⁶
  
  

The facts: References:

1. Hickie, I., Groom, G., and Davenport, T. 2004. Investing in Australia's future. Canberra: Mental Health Council of Australia.

2. ABS. 2008. National survey of mental health and wellbeing: Summary of results. Cat. No. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS.

3. ABS. 2008. National survey of mental health and wellbeing: Summary of results. Cat. No. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS.

4. ABS. 2008. National survey of mental health and wellbeing: Summary of results. Cat. No. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS.

5. ABS. 2008. National survey of mental health and wellbeing: Summary of results. Cat. No. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS.

6. Australian Social Trends, March 2009, Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. No 4102.0.