UCRH’s Dr Jodie Bailie has led a letter to the editor published in the Medical Journal of Australia, calling for stronger inclusion of young people with disability in digital mental health design.
Co-authored with Helen Dickinson, Briony Lipton and Marissa Shields, the letter supports recent calls to involve young people in shaping digital health tools to improve mental health and wellbeing. The authors argue that meaningful codesign must go further by actively including young people with disability, who are often left out of research and development processes.
With 14% of Australians aged 15–24 living with disability, the letter highlights the need for inclusive digital strategies that reflect the full diversity of adolescence. It also points to the disproportionate mental health challenges faced by young people with disability and the ethical responsibility to ensure their voices are heard.
The Research Alliance for Youth Disability and Mental Health (RAY) is one example of a program working to build evidence around inclusive codesign. The authors outline practical steps to support engagement, including accessible communication, flexible participation, and collaboration with disability-led organisations.
This contribution adds to UCRH’s commitment to rural health equity and inclusive research that improves outcomes for all young Australians.
