AIHW Data Highlights Rising Youth Mental Health Needs
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has introduced a groundbreaking Certificate of Advanced Training in Youth Psychiatry, responding to government data that highlights young Australians as the largest users of community mental health services. The programme was launched on 20th May to address the unique mental health needs of individuals aged 12 to 25.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), teenagers aged 12 to 17 accessed community mental health services at a rate of nearly 676 contacts per 1000 people in 2023-24, the highest of any age group. Young adults aged 18 to 24 followed closely at 484 contacts per 1000.
Dr Astha Tomar, President of RANZCP, stated, “Young Australians are the biggest users of community mental health services in the country, and that tells us something important. This generation is asking for help. We owe it to them to have the right people there to answer.”
Increased Demand and Complex Presentations
The AIHW data further reveals that young women aged 18 to 24 received psychiatric care at a rate of 47 patients per 1000 population, the highest rate among age and gender groups. The demand for mental health services has more than doubled in the past decade, with psychostimulant prescriptions for those aged 12 to 17 nearly quadrupling.
Dr Daniel Pellen, Chair of the RANZCP Section for Youth Mental Health, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “Adolescence and early adulthood are when most mental illness first emerges. It is the window where the right intervention can change the entire trajectory of a person’s life.”
The new training programme aims to equip psychiatrists with specialised skills to address the complex needs of young people, providing targeted and informed care. As demand for youth mental health services continues to rise, this initiative seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of care for young Australians.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 12:02 pm
