Vocational engagement among young people entering mental health treatment compared with their general population peers

Abstract

Aim: To compare rates of vocational engagement for youth entering specialist mental health treatment with the general population. Methods: A file audit retrieved vocational data for 145 youth aged 15 to 25 entering treatment. Clinical and population data were stratified by age and sex and compared between cohorts. Results: Compared to the population, young people entering mental health treatment were less likely to have completed at least Year 11 in school (77% vs 42%, P < 0.001); and demonstrated higher rates of “Not in Education, Employment or Training” (9% vs 33%, P < 0.001). Individuals aged 15 to 18 years entering treatment experienced greater rates of educational disengagement than the..