ARACY commissioned this discussion paper to help clarify the problem of youth disengagement - its nature, magnitude, issues and trends – with a strong focus on including the voices and perceptions of young people. The paper includes a comprehensive literature review, an analysis of individual and social pathways to youth disengagement, and an analysis of 'what works best' across five case studies: substance abuse; community violence; school disengagement; civic participation; and youth mental health reform.