Examining the impact of a health justice partnership service on the health and wellbeing of regional young people.

Abstract

Introduction: Young people with unaddressed legal matters are at risk of adverse consequences to their health and wellbeing. Health justice partnerships (HJPs) can support young people in regional areas to address their legal matters and reduce consequential deleterious impacts. A health justice partnership for youth (HJPY) was established in western Victoria, Australia. The program was unique for both its regional location and focus on supporting young people with their legal matters. This article reports on research that was conducted alongside the program, examining (1) the perceptions of regional young people and workers about the impact of legal matters on the health and wellbeing of young people and (2) the role of this HJPY in addressing these legal matters on the health of young people.

Methods: Surveys were used to collect data from young people (n=64) attending the HJPY, and youth and allied health workers (n=48) from partner and other agencies. Data about the program were collected by the legal service operating at the time. Data were collected across multiple time points over 6 years, upon commencement and completion of the program.

Results: The findings showed that young people attending the program required assistance for a wide range of legal matters. Upon attending the HJPY, most young people indicated that their unresolved legal matters influenced their health and wellbeing including sleep, stress, concentration and relationships. After attending the program, young people reported perceived improvements in their health and wellbeing, with workers observing improvements in young people's mental health, mood and self-confidence.

Conclusion: The research highlights the importance of HJPs to young people in addressing their unmet legal needs, with resolution of these matters supporting improved health and wellbeing and enabling them to move forward and focus on other areas of their lives. Youth and allied health workers in regional areas are integral in the early identification of young people with legal matters. They are integral to facilitating suitable referral pathways and services that support young people with their unresolved legal matters.