Conference presentation
Co-designing the missing middle with young people: a multi-dimensional, place-based approach
Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, AIFS 2024 (Melbourne, 11/06/2024–14/06/2024)
12/06/2024
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Abstract
In 2015 a small youth mental health NGO in Northern NSW set out to re-design its programs and services by deeply engaging with young people, drawing on evidence, and empowering clinicians. Recognising the increasing rates of mental distress, and barriers to effective services for young people with significant mental distress in regional areas, Human Nature Adventure Therapy launched into a process of redesign.
In Phase 1, they engaged 85 alumni and learned that young people wanted more opportunities to embed wellbeing and belonging beyond therapy. They co-designed the Elev8 alumni program, whose members advised on a service model that combined therapy and mentoring, with sessions taking place outdoors and in nature. Human Nature learned that engaging young people in group and individual clinical practice was central to the therapeutic alliance and sustained outcomes.
Phase 2 saw the introduction of Feedback informed Therapy, using real-time input to listen and engage young people in their own outcomes. The setting, content, frequency and duration of therapeutic interventions is co-designed with young people themselves. Human Nature clinicians use ‘whatever it takes’ to enable clients’ participation and work with young people predominantly in non-clinical settings.
The outcomes? 95% of young people participate in more than ten sessions with clinicians; 83% of clients show clinically significant levels of improvement; and practitioners express sustained job satisfaction. This presentation will discuss the redesign process, its outcomes, and the conditions enabling success.
Details
- Title
- Co-designing the missing middle with young people: a multi-dimensional, place-based approach
- Creators
- Meaghan Vosz - Southern Cross University, Faculty of Business, Law and ArtsJennifer Parke - Human Nature
- Conference
- Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, AIFS 2024 (Melbourne, 11/06/2024–14/06/2024)
- Identifiers
- 991013240312702368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Business, Law and Arts; Faculty of Health
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation