Supporting Adolescent Mental Health: A Global and Local Priority

According to the World Health Organization:

Globally, one in seven 10–19-year-olds experience mental health issues. One in six people are aged 10–19 years. Adolescence is a unique and formative time.

Physical, emotional, and social changes, especially when combined with exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence can make adolescents particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges.

Protecting young people from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and psychological well-being, and ensuring access to mental health care are critical for their well-being both now and into adulthood.

Given these statistics, it's encouraging to see the vital work of not-for-profit organisations such as Minus18 in Melbourne trying to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth through education, community building, and mental health support, creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people in an effort to protect adolescent mental health.

O'Sullivan and Ruffilli support these initiatives which promote inclusion, compassion, and access to mental health resources, where young people regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, have the opportunity to thrive and where young people feel seen, heard, and supported.