The Importance of Public Health Advocacy
Public health advocacy is critical in tackling teenage mental health issues. Advocacy activities seek to influence legislation, provide resources, and foster conditions that promote mental health. Key components are:

1. Policy Development and Reform.
Advocacy groups such as Mental Health Australia and the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) advocate for evidence-based policies that emphasize prevention and early intervention. These include enacting the National Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy and incorporating mental health education into school curriculum.

2. Reducing stigma and increasing mental health literacy
Campaigns organized by organizations such as headspace and youth advocacy efforts like AYAMH (Australian Youth Advocates for Mental Health) strive to mainstream talks about mental health, decrease stigma, and encourage young people to seek treatment.

3. Community Engagement and Youth Participation.
Adolescent participation in the design and implementation of mental health initiatives is essential for effective advocacy. Youth-led programs, such as the Visible campaign, allow young people to express themselves artistically, establishing an environment of acceptance and tolerance.

4. Resource Allocation & Service Expansion
Advocates are calling for more financing for mental health services, particularly in rural and distant regions where access is restricted. Expanding digital mental health platforms and school-based support networks are other priorities.

Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility.
Addressing adolescent mental health in Australia involves a multifaceted strategy that includes professional care, community support, and structural change. Public health advocacy connects research and policy, ensuring that young people's opinions are heard and their needs are fulfilled. By investing in prevention, decreasing stigma, and fostering mental health literacy, Australia can ensure that adolescents flourish emotionally and socially.

 

SUGGESTIONS:

- Incorporate mental health education into the classroom to help students develop resilience by teaching them coping mechanisms and emotional literacy.
- Increase Access to Services: Funding for youth-friendly mental health services should be increased, particularly in rural and isolated locations.
- Encourage Digital Mental Health Platforms: Make use of technology to give teenagers private, easily available support.
- Boost Community and Family Involvement: Support initiatives that include communities and parents in the promotion of mental health.
Encourage Youth-Led Advocacy: Give young people the tools they need to take part in awareness campaigns and policy-making to make sure their opinions are heard.

 

References:

 

Policy & Advocacy Work | Mental Health Australia. (n.d.). https://www.mentalhealthaustralia.org.au/policy-advocacy

 

The national children’s mental health and wellbeing strategy suggested citation. (n.d.). Gov.au. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-03/national-children-s-mental-health-and-wellbeing-strategy---full-report.pdf?utm_source

 

Crisp, D., Rickwood, D., Burns, R., & Bariola, E. (2025). The complete mental health of Australia’s adolescents and emerging adults: distress and wellbeing across 3 nationally representative community samples. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 34. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2045796025000083