Australia’s cost of living crisis continues to be a significant issue. It is not just of economic concern, it is a major social determinant of health, having profound negative impacts on the protective factors for mental health and wellbeing. Young Australians are particularly vulnerable. This policy brief outlines four policy recommendations to address the crisis.

Supporting student wellbeing in schools has become an urgent priority as the youth mental health crisis continues to grow. This policy brief explores the current literature supporting a ‘whole-of-school’ approach to wellbeing and presents policy recommendations aimed at driving meaningful, systemic change, recognising schools as key environments where mental health and wellbeing can be supported.

Small business owners are facing concerning rates of mental ill-health, prompting calls for greater investment in tailored mental health supports. This policy brief outlines the further work needed to ensure mental health support programs are visible, accessible, and useful to small business, including through their trusted and familiar channels.

This report summarises the results of the Prevention United Youth Survey which examined the factors having the most negative and positive impacts on mental health, activities most likely to improve mental health and what could be done by Government to improve the mental health of young Australians.

The youth mental health crisis and gender-based violence (GBV) are both topics of current media attention. However, even though experiencing violence is a known risk factor for poor mental health, these issues are rarely spoken about together. The brief outlines the effects of GBV on the mental health of young women and advocates for the...