Australia, like many other countries, is facing increasing rates of mental disorders and substance use. Globally, substance use, depression and anxiety disorders are among the leading causes of disease burden in young people. Yet they are treated in isolation, stalling discovery, prevention and treatment.
Closer to home, there is a stark Australian statistic that troubles Professor Maree Teesson, from the University of Sydney, who has dedicated her career to improving the outlook for young people.
Over the last 20 years, the rates of mental health problems in young people have doubled, from 1 in 5 people to 2 in 5 people suffering.1
The peak onset of these disorders occurs in those aged between 15 and 24 years of age. Unfortunately, 1 in 2 people with a substance use or mental disorder will develop it before leaving school.
This story is part of our 10 of the Best -Fifteenth edition. 10 of the Best is an annual NHMRC publication, showcasing 10 NHMRC-funded health and medical research projects. See more 10 of the Best.
‘Young people are 30% of the population but 100% of our future. They're also 100% of the future workforce. So, if you're thinking about who are the next innovators and who are the next people to support the Australian economy, they're it,’ said Professor Teesson.
‘Ensuring that they have the healthiest future possible is really important for all our futures, not just their futures.’
Professor Teesson secured a 5-year NHMRC Research Fellowship in 2015. She used this to develop innovative ways to prevent and proactively address substance use and mental disorders.
‘Effective prevention is critical, yet until recently, single disorder models, barriers to implementation and poor understanding of risk have hampered prevention efforts. The aim of the Fellowship was to bring the 2 areas of research together so that we could accelerate the knowledge gains in both areas and create immediate change,’ she said.
Professor Teesson says that the support of NHMRC was critical for building a passionate team around her.
‘The incredible team successfully bridged the gap between mental health and substance use research and paved the way by creating evidence-based responses,’ she said.
As a result of their work, millions of people around the world now access their digital resources.
In 2015, Professor Teesson and colleagues set up a joint venture not-for-profit company and attracted over $12 million in philanthropic funding.
And Professor Teesson isn’t finished yet.
‘It’s been really important to address knowledge gaps through bringing together diverse researchers in Australia and internationally. People wanting to make a difference has allowed us to capitalise on opportunities for intervening early. So, this work has saved lives, and I’m incredibly excited by that,’ she said.
Next steps
The Fellowship contributed significantly to the options for intervening and treating substance use and mental disorders. It also advanced psychology research and showcased Australia's innovative and impactful medical research on a global scale. Professor Teesson is continuing to share her work and promote the outcomes globally through research projects, collaborations and active community engagement.
In 2018–2019 Professor Teesson established the Matilda Centre, at the University of Sydney, the largest research centre in the world focussing on comorbidity prevention and treatment. The research centre is dedicated to addressing mental health challenges and creating a brighter future for young people.
CIA
Professor Maree Teesson
Institution
University of Sydney
Research title
Innovative responses to prevention and treatment of mental disorders and substance use
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023a). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-2022. ABS Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release