A protocol for population-level data linkage to investigate patterns of service use and healthcare needs of young people experiencing mental ill-health in Victoria, Australia
Amity E. Watson, Jana M. Menssink, Kate M. Filia, Matthew P. Hamilton, Mengmeng Wang, Shu Mei Teo, Daniel Gan, Debra J. Rickwood, Patrick D. McGorry, Ian B. Hickie, Alison Ruth Yung, Cathrine Mihalopoulos, Alex Parker, Victoria L. Ryall, Magenta Simmons, Shelley Cox, Ziad Nehme, Sarah E. Hetrick, Karen Smith, Carl I. Moller, Katrina Witt, Caroline X. Gao, Susan M. CottonBackground
Mental disorders are a leading cause of disease burden in 10–24-year-olds. In Australia, fragmentation within and across health, mental health and human services sectors contributes to gaps in service provision and increased disease burden. Comprehensive methodologies are needed to identify service gaps and inefficiencies to shape policy, optimise resource allocation and improve outcomes for young people.
Aims
To describe the design and methodology of a population-based data linkage study involving evaluation of health, mental health and human service use among young people in Victoria and identify subgroups experiencing unmet mental health needs.
Method
The primary cohort comprises young people aged 12–25 years in the period between January 2018 and December 2025. For comparative purposes, children aged 5–11 years and adults aged 26–53 years are also included. We describe data sources, linkage methodology and planned analyses. Traditional statistical methods alongside contemporary machine learning and natural language processing techniques will be used.
Results
The study will provide a comprehensive examination of the clinical characteristics of young people, their service use behaviour and typical pathways through care that cannot be gleaned from examining datasets in isolation. Ongoing consultation and engagement with young people and key stakeholders will inform interpretation, dissemination and translation of findings.
Conclusions
By integrating data across multiple service sectors, this study will generate novel evidence regarding pathways through care and unmet mental health needs among Victorian young people. Findings will inform mental health service reform and support improvements in healthcare delivery, service integration and outcomes for young people.