A protocol for population-level data linkage to investigate patterns of service use and health care needs of young people from Victoria Australia experiencing mental ill-health

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/gs7uj_v2
• Publication Date: 2025-03-17T03:46:49Z
• Authors: Amity Watson; Jana Menssink; Kate M. Filia; Matthew Hamilton; Mengmeng Wang; Shu Mei Teo; Daniel ZQ Gan; Debra Rickwood; Patrick McGorry; Ian Hickie; Alison R. Yung; Cathrine Mihalopo...; Alex Parker; Victoria L. Ryall; Magenta B. Simmons; Shelley Cox; Ziad Nehme; Sarah Hetrick; Carl I. Moller; Katrina Witt; Caroline X. Gao; Sue Maree Cotton
• Keywords: Linkage (software); Mental health service; Mental health care

Introduction: Mental disorders are diverse, complex, multifaceted, and co-morbidity is common. They a leading cause of disease burden in 10–24-year-olds. In Australia, fragmentation within across sectors (health, mental health human services) results gaps service provision increases this burden; there an urgent need for reform. However, we comprehensive robust methodologies to identify inefficiencies shape policy, ensure efficient allocation resources support those most need. Here describe the protocol population-based data linkage study involving evaluation health, use among Victorian young people, with goal identifying subgroups experiencing unmet needs. Methods analysis: Our primary cohort youth aged 12-25 years during time period January 2018 November 2023. Data individuals 5-11 26-53 will also be included, allow examination early factors older adult comparison group. The sources methodology described. Traditional statistical methods coupled contemporary machine learning natural language processing techniques used.Study outcomes: Ongoing consultation engagement people key stakeholders inform interpretation, dissemination translation findings. We provide clinical characteristics their broader behaviour typical pathways through care, that could not gleaned from examining datasets isolation. Findings ongoing reform lead improvements healthcare delivery outcomes youth.