Development of an American and Australian co-designed youth mental health literacy program

Abstract

Adolescence is marked by a high prevalence of mental health concerns, with approximately 14% of young individuals receiving a diagnosis of a mental illness disorder. This figure is projected to rise in the future. However, barriers such as limited access to mental health services, a shortage of mental health professionals, and the enduring stigma surrounding mental health prevent many adolescents from seeking help, potentially resulting in long-term negative outcomes. To address these challenges, an evidence-based mental health literacy program implemented within schools offers a promising avenue for imparting knowledge and improving adolescents' mental well-being. This paper presents a mental health literacy and action program specifically tailored for adolescents, developed in collaboration with professionals, teachers, parents, and adolescents themselves. Lessons learned from program development and implementation in Australia and the United States are shared, providing insights into the process of designing and executing such programs. By enhancing mental health literacy and promoting help-seeking behaviors, this program has the potential to facilitate positive changes in adolescents' mental health outcomes.