New research reveals critical gaps in youth mental health services
Australian teenagers are waiting over three months (an average of 99.6 days) for their first mental health treatment session, according to new research from UNSW Sydney¹. The study of 375 teens aged 13-17 reveals a system in crisis, with demand for youth mental health care increasing rapidly over the past two decades.
Professor Bridianne O’Dea, one of the lead researchers, describes the current situation starkly: “We are now in the midst of a crisis where the demand for youth mental health care has increased rapidly in the past two decades”¹. The research highlights a fundamental mismatch between need and capacity, with psychological therapy being the first line of treatment but insufficient clinicians available to meet demand.
What Happens While Teens Wait
During these long waiting periods, many young people experience:
- High levels of psychological distress
- Feelings of abandonment and loss of hope
- Harmful coping behaviours including self-harm and substance use
- Increased social withdrawal¹
Dr Mirjana Subotic-Kerry, the study’s lead author, notes: “Young people reported that they experienced a high level of psychological distress during this period. They felt a strong sense of abandonment and a loss of hope”¹.
Signs of Resilience
Despite the systemic failures, the research also uncovered encouraging evidence of young people’s inherent resilience. Many teenagers demonstrated healthy coping strategies during their wait, including:
- Reaching out to family and friends
- Engaging in physical activity
- Journalling
- Seeking information independently
- Finding ways to stay mentally engaged¹
What Teens Actually Want
When asked how to improve their waiting experience, 50% of teens suggested simple solutions:
- More frequent contact from healthcare providers
- Better communication about wait times
- Regular check-ins during the waiting period¹
Dr Subotic-Kerry observed: “Interestingly, young people didn’t propose complex structural systems… They had really simple suggestions, such as increasing the amount of contact they received, and receiving information and communication about the wait time”¹.
The Solutions
The research points to both immediate and long-term solutions that could significantly improve outcomes for young Australians seeking mental health support.
Immediate Actions:
- Implement regular check-ins during wait times
- Provide clear communication about expected wait times
- Increase contact frequency from service providers¹
Long-term Reform:
- Introduce national wait time standards like those used in the UK
- Create evidence-based benchmarks for acceptable waiting times
- Improve transparency and accountability in mental health service delivery¹
Why This Matters Now
Professor O’Dea emphasises the urgency: “The time is right for Australia to seriously consider the use of national standards”¹. With more young people seeking help than ever before, systemic reform is essential to prevent further harm during this critical period when teens are most vulnerable.
The research shows that while teens demonstrate remarkable resilience, individual coping cannot replace adequate mental health services. Simple communication improvements could be implemented immediately, while national standards would provide the systematic change needed for long-term solutions.
Need Help Now?
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
- Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
- Emergency: 000
References
- Subotic-Kerry, M., O’Dea, B., et al. (2025). Wait times for mental health treatment among Australian adolescents: a cross-sectional survey study. BMJ Open, 15(3). Available at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/3/e087342.full
This article is based on research conducted by the Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney, and Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, as reported by UNSW Newsroom, March 2025.
