Young people and parents/caregivers are invited to participate in focus groups during June to help further develop youth mental health programs and services in the ACT. The Youth Coalition is asking young people, and also parents, for their views about:
- changes being trialled at CAMHS to make it easier for young people to access, and
- a brochure developed for young people and families about a new mental health inpatient unit at Canberra Hospital for young people aged 12-17.
What is CAMHS?
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) is an ACT Government mental health service for children and young people up to the age of 18. Most children and young people access it by contacting a CAMHS Northside or CAMHS Southside team. CAMHS is not the same program as headspace.
Information for Young People
Young people can choose to take part in a focus group with up to six young people (aged 16-25), or an individual interview (for young people aged 12-25). We will seek parental consent for young people under the age of 16.
Young people are eligible to take part if they are currently, or have previously, been supported by or tried to get support from CAMHS. Some type of CAMHS involvement, including attending a CHOICE appointment, is required to take part.
Participants will be reimbursed with a $50 gift voucher for providing their time.
There are two options for focus groups:
- Option 1: Wednesday 14 June, 5:30pm – 7pm, at the Youth Coalition of the ACT. We can help with transport if you need it, and we will provide food.
- Option 2: Thursday 22 June, 5:30pm – 7pm, Online via Microsoft Teams
Places are limited to six young people in each focus group. If you would prefer to take part in an individual interview, we can arrange this at a time and place that suits you, either in-person, online or over the phone.
To get involved, please email projects@youthcoalition.net.
Read the Information Sheet for more information and Frequently Asked Questions.
Information for Parents / Caregivers
Parents / Caregivers can take part in an online focus group. Parents are eligible to take part who are currently, or have previously within the last five years, accessed or tried to access CAMHS for their child or young person (aged 8-17 at the time). Some type of CAMHS involvement is required to take part, including by attending a CHOICE appointment.
Participants will be reimbursed with a $50 gift voucher for providing their time.
There are three options for focus groups:
- Option 1: Tuesday 13 June, 6-7:30pm, Online via Microsoft Teams
- Option 2: Wednesday 21 June, 6-7:30pm, Online via Microsoft Teams
- Option 3: Friday 23 June, 11am – 12:30pm, Online via Microsoft Teams
Places are limited to eight parents in each focus group.
To get involved, please email projects@youthcoalition.net.
Read the Information Sheet for more information and Frequently Asked Questions.
