Prevention and early intervention for mental health problems in 0-25 year olds: are there evidence-based models of care?

Abstract

Approximately 10–20% of children and young people aged 0–25 years have significant mental health problems, with 50% of mental illnesses commencing before the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24. Mental health disorders account for the highest burden of disease across this age range, led by anxiety and mood disorders and problematic substance use. Regrettably, there is an inverse relationship between the prevalence of mental disorders in this age group and the use of health services to improve mental health outcomes, with only a fraction of affected individuals receiving appropriate treatment through psychiatric services. There is a pressing need to develop better models of care to ensure greater access to appropriate early intervention services among those with the highest rates and risks for developing mental disorders; in this case, those aged 0–25 years. This paper reviews the development of mental health disorders and the mental health needs of children and young people aged 0–25, and the evidence for collaborative and integrated service systems to ensure adequate treatment provision and continuity of care across this age spectrum