Engaging with a Mental Health Service: Perspectives of At-Risk Youth |
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Authors: | Rosemary French Melissa Reardon Peter Smith |
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Affiliation: | (1) Centre for Clinical Interventions/YouthLink, 223 James St., Northbridge, Western Australia, 6003;;(2) YouthLink, Western Australia;(3) Curtin University, Western Australia |
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Abstract: | Studies suggest that only a small number of young people with diagnosable mental health difficulties are referred for treatment. Of these a significant proportion fail to engage in treatment or terminate prematurely. This situation is exacerbated when the young people are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and considered to be at-risk. With this at-risk population the process of engagement is likely to be a critical aspect of successful interventions. Using qualitative methodology, at-risk clients of a mental health service (n = sixteen) were interviewed, and four primary themes crucial to the engagement process were identified. The data indicated the importance of considering the young person and their multifarious life-experiences; the attractiveness and accessibility of the service; and the follow-up offered by the service provider. The implications for mental health services that provide counseling for young people are discussed. |
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Keywords: | At-Risk Youth Mental Health Engagement |
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