Making the wait time count: helping adolescents needing mental health support

Are your adolescent patients waiting too long for mental health treatment? 

GPs are invited to participate in While We Wait, a research study evaluating a new digital service designed to support adolescents aged 14 to 17 while they wait to access mental health treatment. 

Co-designed with young people and GPs, While We Wait delivers brief, evidence-based self-management strategies directly to a young person’s smartphone. The service aims to keep adolescents engaged, supported and connected to care during what can be a challenging waiting period. 

Benefits for GPs 

Participation offers the opportunity to: 

• Provide additional support for adolescent patients between appointments 

• Enhance engagement and trust with young people awaiting treatment 

• Education webinar and CPD hours 

• Participating GPs may receive up to $250 in reimbursement. Adolescent participants may receive up to $80. 

About the Study 

The study is led by Professor Bridianne O’Dea at Flinders University, in partnership with Central Eastern Sydney PHN and COORDINARE Primary Health Network. It has ethics approval from the Flinders University Human Research Ethics Committee (#8728). 

Now Recruiting 

To learn more, email whilewewait@flinders.edu.au or register your interest here.  

By participating, GPs can help transform waiting periods into opportunities for meaningful support, ensuring young people do not feel forgotten while accessing mental health care.