Abstract
Objective: This paper describes a framework for a multi-disciplinary collaboration to investigate the role of technology for improving young Australians’ mental health and wellbeing.
Results: The poor mental health of young Australians poses a significant challenge to Australia's future. Half of all Australians will experience a mental health difficulty in their lifetime and 75% of mental illness has its onset before age 25. Cross-sectoral collaboration is critical for meeting this challenge. In order to establish a world-first multi-partner collaboration, leading researchers and institutes, commercial, non-profit and end-user organization and young people were identified and invited to participate. Together we have developed an international research framework that explores the role of technologies in young people's lives, their potential and how this can be harnessed to address challenges facing young people. This research framework will: (i) conduct empirical research that tests the utility of technology across mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment and, (ii) translate existing and new knowledge into products and services that help create a generation of safe, happy, healthy and resilient young people. Research undertaken by the Collaboration will be the most comprehensive investigation of technologies’ potential to improve the wellbeing of young people ever conducted, leading to significant benefits for Australian young people and their mental health.
DISCLOSURE
This paper was submitted by Associate Professor Jane Burns on behalf of the 63 partner organisations who form the Collaboration. In December 2010, the federal government announced a $27.5 million investment to further this collaboration through the establishment of the Cooperative Research Centre for Young People, Technology and Wellbeing. This initiative will be established under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre’s Program.