Our work with young people

Mental health conditions often start early in life and can have significant implications for success in education, future careers and personal relationships.

One in four young people experiences a mental health condition and suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 24, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Research has shown that half all mental health conditions emerge by the age of 14, and three-quarters by age 24.

However, identifying issues early and getting a young person into the right support and treatment can change lives.

Adolescence is a critical time for mental health and around 550,000 young people aged 16–24 years live with depression or anxiety.

In light of these statistics, Beyond Blue connects with parents and young people aged 12 to 25 through a variety of channels, including the Beyond Blue website and other online resources and apps, and in primary and secondary schools through the Be You initiatives.

Find out more about our work

Programs and campaigns

Youth Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue’s youth program, Youth Beyond Blue, aimed to empower young people aged 12–25, their friends and those who care for them. The campaign ran in 2015 and contained information and resources on depression, anxiety, other life issues and where to get support.

The Check-in App

The Check-in app was designed by Beyond Blue and Two Bulls in consultation with young people to help take the fear out of having a conversation with a friend who might be struggling. This is often not an easy conversation to have. The Check-in app provides building blocks for how you would approach your friend and gives you a confidence boost to know what to do if your friend does need support.

Brains can have a mind of their own

Beyond Blue's 2015 youth campaign empowered teenagers to take action if they are experiencing depression or anxiety, and aims to reduce suicide, which remains the biggest killer of young people in Australia.

Brains can have a mind of their own used quirky animated ads that featured an annoying ‘brain’ character that causes young people to experience various symptoms of depression and anxiety. This campaigns aim was to show teenagers that experiencing depression or anxiety doesn’t mean they are weak or weird, it simply means that their mind is giving them a hard time. Young people were encouraged to learn more at Beyond Blue’s website for 12-18 year olds, that contained information and resources on depression, anxiety, other life issues and where to go for support.

Our research relating to young people

Research projects

Beyond Blue funds a variety of research that contributes to the understanding and knowledge of depression, anxiety and suicide in young people, and regularly evaluates its youth-focused projects. 

Resources

Beyond Blue offers a free catalogue of resources for young people, their family and friends, and for health professionals who work in mental health.

More information on young people
Beyond Blue works to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to maintain their own good mental health and wellbeing, and recognise symptoms in people close to them, in order to prevent the development of a mental health condition.

Find out where young people can find information and support for depression, anxiety and suicide.

Find out more