Prevention United

The role of philanthropy in driving investment in mental health promotion and the prevention of mental ill health at scale has been critical in the absence of dedicated funding from government. Future Generation have been leaders in this area and big supporters of the work of Prevention United. They are now seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) to establish partnerships with non-profits to build social investment in children and youth at risk. Through these partnerships they will provide multi-year untied funding and additional capacity building support, working with partners to track outcomes, learnings and share widely. Applications open on the 11th of November and close on the 9th of December. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gEy_ecQ4

In this commentary Dr Louise La Sala and I explore the question ‘is social media causing the increase in mental ill-health, self-harm and suicidal ideation in young people and if so, age restrictions are the answer?’   Whilst there is no question that rates of mental ill-health, self-harm and suicidal ideation are increasing in young people, questions certainly remain regarding the role of social media and, in turn, whether blanket age restriction will help solve these problems. In this piece we draw on the findings from two Lancet Commissions which highlight that the factors contributing to mental ill-health, self-harm and suicide are complex and include a range of social determinants and individual factors, of which social media is likely only one.    We also note that the relationship between social media use and mental health, self-harm and suicide, is poorly understood, with most of the evidence correlational at best. In fact, our own research identifies that in addition to the potential for harm, social media can provide benefits, including social connection and access to help and information, often in the absence of professional help.    When it comes to the question of age restrictions, there is no evidence to support blanket restrictions, and in fact the potential for unintended harmful consequences exists, leading us to conclude that if we really want to tackle the current youth mental health crisis, we need a much more comprehensive and evidence-based approach. Ian Hickie AO Patrick McGorry The Lancet Lucy Thomas OAM Rosie Thomas OAM Jocelyn Brewer Tama Leaver Benjamin Bartlett Jason Trethowan Suzanne Dick Suicide Prevention Australia Julie Inman - Grant Elfy Scott

From The Lancet: “attempts to conclusively link rising rates of mental illness or find any clear brain changes with the growing use of social and digital media during adolescence have proved difficult. In the Lancet Commission on self-harm, published today, Paul Moran and colleagues acknowledge the potential harms and arguments put forward by scientists such as Jonathan Haidt, but conclude that research on the effects of social media has so far produced mixed results. Indeed, for some young people, it might have benefits, facilitating connections for those who are isolated, providing online support networks, and delivering therapies.” https://lnkd.in/g8zx5Ppm Anthony Albanese Michelle Rowland MP Chris Minns Peter Malinauskas

As we get ready for the second social media summit in Adelaide and the debate rages about the complexity of social media and the way forward, one thing is clear. The sector is united in their concerns about the proposed ban, the need for social media companies to do more, and the role of young people in designing the solutions. #socialmedia #youthmentalhealth #youngpeople #socialmediaban

This world mental health day we choose to celebrate the progress that has been made in addressing discrimination, making inroads into elevating and listening to those with lived and living experience as well as those that love and care for them, and the significant investment in the delivery of services over the last decade. We also choose to continue to focus on prevention, and to call on governments and policy makers to invest in the critical areas that we know can prevent mental ill health and promote wellbeing at the population level. These include child maltreatment, gender based violence, intergenerational inequity, future uncertainty and social connectedness. The evidence on what works is clear, as is the return on investment, now all we need is the political will. This includes in the workplace where psychosocial safety, wage growth, secure employment, prioritising diversity and inclusion and work/ life balance remain critical issues. We can and have done amazing work at the individual and organisational levels, with pockets of good work happening. The next step is to integrate these learnings, informed by the evidence at the population level. Who's with us?

Don't miss your chance to register for our upcoming webinar - The significance of gender-based violence as a key driver in young women’s disproportionate experiences of mental ill-health. The youth mental health crisis and gender-based violence (GBV) are both topics of current media attention. However, even though experiencing violence is a known risk factor for poor mental health, these issues are rarely spoken about together. We believe that it is time to have an urgent conversation to highlight the effect(s) of GBV on the mental health of young Australians and to take steps to decrease the incidence of this salient risk factor. This webinar will cover key research on the impact of GBV on mental health and feature panellists from MindBlank, Rizina Yadav from Young Women’s Alliance and Prevention United Youth Advocates Em and Lauren. To register head to - https://lnkd.in/gVnKEyuN #mentalhealth #youngwomen #girls #familyviolence #GBV Mindblank Studio Rizina Y.

I welcome the announcement by the New South Wales Government announcement today of the Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. In our recent policy brief, Prevention United explored the relationship between gender based violence and the mental health and wellbeing of young people. We look forward to engaging with the NSW Government to consider the specific experiences of girls and young women as distinct from those of their families, and the need to ensure adequate consideration in the intersectionality of the experiences of girls and young women, particularly in relation to mental health and wellbeing. Access the full policy brief here https://bit.ly/4d2hqoj To register for our upcoming webinar and hear more head to - https://lnkd.in/gVnKEyuN #GenderBasedViolence #FamilyViolence #TechnologyFacilitatedAbuse #Youthmentalhealth #mentalhealth #girls #youngwomen #childmaltreatment #MinisterforChildren #ChildMentalHealth Chris Minns David Harris Hannah Tonkin Delia Donovan Phillip Ripper https://lnkd.in/gBSYwFEM

Great to see Lachlan Kent having a big impact this RUOK day.

Prevention United is working with leading mental health organisations to ensure that the policy response to social media achieves it's aims of making social media a safer. ReachOut Australia Black Dog Institute PROJECT ROCKIT headspace ARACY Suicide Prevention Australia LGBTIQ+ Health Australia

Prevention United is pleased to release its latest policy brief produced in collaboration with our youth advisory group (YAG) - “Young women’s mental health: The significance of gender-based violence as a key driver in young women’s disproportionate experiences of mental ill-health.” The youth mental health crisis and gender-based violence (GBV) are both topics of current media attention. However, even though experiencing violence is a known risk factor for poor mental health, these issues are rarely spoken about together. While we welcome the recent Federal Government announcement $4.7 billion dollars over 5 years to prevent family violence, there remains considerable work to do to ensure that the  specific experiences of girls and young women in relation to GBV are addressed in social policy, justice, education and health responses.      This policy brief was developed in consultation with our YAG who believe that is time to have an urgent conversation to highlight the effect(s) of GBV on the mental health of young Australian women and to take steps to decrease the incidence of this salient risk factor. The brief outlines the effects of GBV on the mental health of young women and advocates for the need for public health approaches to decrease the prevalence of both. To read the brief – please see:   https://bit.ly/4d2hqoj #GenderBasedViolence #FamilyViolence #TechnologyFacilitatedAbuse #Youthmentalhealth #mentalhealth #girls #youngwomen #childmaltreatment #MinisterforChildren #ChildMentalHealth