Capital Health Network

The Young Minds Matter Survey estimated that 8,300 12-17 year olds in the ACT have a mental illness. headspace Canberra provides early intervention mental health services to young people aged 12-25 years and is designed to support young people access the help they need for problems affecting their wellbeing, including mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug services, study and work support. Over the past year, headspace Canberra has provided 4,418 occasions of service to 651 new young people and 414 returning young people.

headspace Canberra adjusted their service delivery in response to COVID-19, providing telehealth options for young people. The introduction of mental health services via telephone or video resulted in a reduction of ‘did not attend’ (DNA)s, with many young people still requesting that option even when face to face services could recommence. This suggests that not only did young people respond quickly and positively to the new format, but in fact this delivery option is, for some, their preferred way of receiving mental health services.