ABSTRACT
Mental health services are currently split into child and adolescent services, designed for people up to the age of 18, adult services for those aged 18–64 years and separate services for those over 65. This arrangement ignores the epidemiological, developmental and neurobiological underpinnings of the early phase of most mental disorders. This chapter describes the current landscape of new models of care that focus on the important ages of around 12-25 years. It also discusses the key elements that youth services should include that will be of benefit for those who are planning on establishing future youth services. Important features that are highlighted include: participation of young people in the design and implementation of services, partnerships with other agencies such as housing and social care, educational and vocational services and forensic systems, involvement of families and carers in designing service, accessible care pathways, outreach to difficult-to-engage groups such as ethnic minorities, low stigma environments and training of staff. The latter is an important factor in providing an acceptable and high-quality service. Suggested staff training modules are included in the chapter.
