Two-thirds of young people with mental health issues ‘don’t improve with headspace’

Only a minority has improved functioning while most need ongoing intensive care, researchers say

Two in three young people who present to early intervention mental health services, like headspace, remain functionally impaired or deteriorate over the next two years of care, a study suggests. 

The research has prompted calls from psychiatrists for more comprehensive and multidisciplinary approaches to youth mental health, as the current low-intensity models only meet the needs of a minority.  

The team, from University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, analysed data from 1510 young people aged 12-25 who visited the centre’s headspace and other linked services between June 2008 and July 2018. 

Participants (mean age 18, 62% female) were included in the study if they remained in contact with the service for at least two years, allowing researchers to longitudinally track their social and occupational functioning.