REPORT: AUSTRALIA'S FORGOTTEN MIDDLE - THE YOUTH INSEARCH APPROACH TO END YOUTH SUICIDE

Suicide is the biggest killer of Australians aged between 14-25 years. These young people have been described as the “missing middle” − but they are not missing – they are forgotten.

All Australians deserve the very best chance for a healthy, rewarding and satisfying life. However, despite over $11 billion invested by government, business and private funders each year, suicide remains the leading cause of death in young Australians, and many young people are not receiving the support they need. There is an estimated $22 billion per year loss to the Australian economy from the impact of youth suicide.

Described by Orygen as the “missing middle”, these young people’s needs are not met by current mental health services. They are a heterogenous group of youth comprising some of the most at-risk young people in our society.

Since 1985 Youth Insearch has been working with the “missing middle” or what is more correctly termed − the “forgotten middle”. Young people who fit into this category are not missing. They have always been present though they have been “forgotten” by the mainstream medical solution approach currently in place, to address youth mental health and suicide rates.

Research shows that with the right support, suicide, particularly in young people is largely preventable, however, it has become clear that the current model of care for mental health and suicide prevention in Australia is not working. Youth Insearch has proposed three recommendations to improve how the sector can best support young people.

To learn more, click here to read the Australia's Forgotten Middle executive summary or request a full copy of the report.