Is headspace making a difference to young people’s lives?
Evaluation-of-headspace-program
Evaluation-of-headspace-program
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Appendix B<br />
Young Minds Matter analysis of distance <strong>to</strong> <strong>headspace</strong> centres<br />
Method<br />
YMM Wave 1 data were used <strong>to</strong> examine the association between proximity <strong>to</strong> a <strong>headspace</strong><br />
centre and use of centre services. This analysis made use of both parent and youth report data for<br />
YMM survey participants aged 12 years and above. Information relating <strong>to</strong> both the parent and the<br />
<strong>young</strong> person’s knowledge and use of <strong>headspace</strong> centre services was combined with the distance<br />
between the survey participant’s household and the nearest <strong>headspace</strong> centre location. These<br />
geo-coded data were used <strong>to</strong> determine an evidence-based definition of service access 43 . YMM<br />
did not capture data on 18–25 year-olds, who are also in-scope for <strong>headspace</strong> services. However,<br />
proximity <strong>to</strong> a <strong>headspace</strong> centre is more important for 12–17 year-olds as <strong>young</strong>er clients are more<br />
likely <strong>to</strong> be transport restricted with less access <strong>to</strong> public transport and private cars. Furthermore,<br />
early intervention for mental health problems is optimal, and many serious mental health issues first<br />
manifest in the 12-17 age range.<br />
Results<br />
Around 2.5% of 12-17 year olds who participated in YMM reported that they had accessed<br />
<strong>headspace</strong> centre service in the past 12 months. As shown in Figure B6, there was a rapid decline<br />
in the proportion of <strong>young</strong> people who accessed services as the distance <strong>to</strong> a <strong>headspace</strong> centre<br />
increased. In addition, there was a correlation between knowledge of <strong>headspace</strong> and proximity <strong>to</strong><br />
a <strong>headspace</strong> centre (Figure B7). Again, with increasing distance there was substantial decline in<br />
knowledge of <strong>headspace</strong> services. The relationship between proximity and knowledge of <strong>headspace</strong><br />
was more evident in <strong>young</strong> people aged 15-17 years, with those aged 12-14 years being substantially<br />
less likely <strong>to</strong> report having knowledge of <strong>headspace</strong> (Figure B8).<br />
Figure B6 Use of <strong>headspace</strong> by distance <strong>to</strong> nearest <strong>headspace</strong> for <strong>young</strong> people aged 12-17 years<br />
(YMM), based on <strong>headspace</strong> Rounds 1-4<br />
43<br />
At the time of wave one of YMM data collection only 56 <strong>headspace</strong> centres, which were allocated in Rounds 1 <strong>to</strong> 4,<br />
were in operation nationally.<br />
Social Policy Research Centre 2015<br />
<strong>headspace</strong> Evaluation Final Report<br />
132