DACE Equity of ACCESS Submission to the National Access Plan 2022-2026

Based on our research and experience including survey feedback from our students, we recommend that a systemic approach to access is taken in new policies and that this leads to the adoption of support mechanisms before during and after higher education, related to the following five key themes: • Theme 1. Fees and financial resources • Theme 2. Further Education and Training (FET) (including Community Education). • Theme 3. Listening to learners • Theme 4. Socio-cultural, economic and other barriers • Theme 5. Appropriate data collection and measuremen

Global research priorities for youth mental health

AIM: Over the past two decades, the youth mental health field has expanded and advanced considerably. Yet, mental disorders continue to disproportionately affect adolescents and young adults. Their prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality in young people have not substantially reduced, with high levels of unmet need and poor access to evidence-based treatments even in high-income countries. Despite the potential return on investment, youth mental disorders receive insufficient funding. Motivated by these continual disparities, we propose a strategic agenda for youth mental health research. METHOD: Youth mental health experts and funders convened to develop youth mental health research priorities, via thematic roundtable discussions, that address critical evidence-based gaps. RESULTS: Twenty-one global youth mental health research priorities were developed, including population health, neuroscience, clinical staging, novel interventions, technology, socio-cultural factors, service delivery, translation and implementation. CONCLUSIONS: These priorities will focus attention on, and provide a basis for, a systematic and collaborative strategy to globally improve youth mental health outcomes