GPs Support Teenagers Facing Long Mental Health Care Delays
16 Oct 2026
A study by Flinders University and the Black Dog Institute has found that GPs are playing an important role in supporting teenagers who cannot access specialist mental health services quickly.
Published in the Australian Journal of Primary Health, the research surveyed 190 GPs about referral processes, waiting periods and the support they provide to young people awaiting treatment.
On average, teenagers wait nearly two months to see a psychologist and four months to see a psychiatrist, according to the surveyed GPs.
More than 90% of respondents said lengthy waits could lead to young people leaving treatment, experiencing worsening symptoms, feeling unsupported or becoming less likely to seek help in the future.
The researchers reported that GPs considered waiting times for almost all mental health services unacceptable. Most believed young people should receive care within one month.
Professor Bridianne O’Dea, the study’s lead author and a child and adolescent mental health expert at Flinders University, said long delays could be particularly difficult for teenagers experiencing anxiety or depression.
She explained that GPs were providing ongoing care to young people while they waited for specialist appointments, including monitoring clinical risks and supporting families.
The study also found that 80% of GPs had seen an increase in teenagers presenting with depression or anxiety over the previous year.
More than 80% said they had increased appointments or provided additional support to young patients waiting for specialist care. This included regular follow-ups, mental health education, lifestyle advice and digital resources.
Dr Karen Spielman, Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Psychological Medicine group, said the findings reflected the difficulties young people face when trying to access mental health services.
She told newsGP that one psychiatrist had recently indicated a 12-month wait before seeing a young patient.
Although such delays may be at the extreme end, she said finding appropriate specialist support can take time because the workforce is stretched and under-resourced.
A recent report from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists forecast a shortage of at least 230 child and adolescent psychiatrists by 2028.
The report estimated that there would be only one child and adolescent psychiatrist for every 571 children aged 0–17 expected to have moderate to severe mental illness, based on current projections.
Dr Spielman said GPs were well placed to provide community-based mental health care. However, longer consultations, limited appointment availability, costs and fragmented services made it harder to meet young patients’ needs.
She added that teenagers often need regular follow-up appointments, while their parents and carers may also require support. Finding enough time for this care can be difficult, particularly in busy practices.
The researchers said the findings highlighted the need to strengthen support for GPs caring for adolescents during extended waits for specialist treatment.
Possible approaches include further GP training in brief psychological interventions and better coordination between GPs, families and multidisciplinary care teams.
Dr Spielman also called for greater funding, training incentives and recognition for GPs with mental health expertise. She said systemic barriers, including consultation costs and Medicare arrangements, also needed attention.
To help address the gap between referral and specialist treatment, Flinders University researchers are inviting GPs to participate in a pilot program called
While We Wait.
The service offers teenagers an SMS-based psychological support program. It also provides GPs with training to help them support young people during waiting periods, alongside feedback about patients’ mental health to inform clinical decisions.
GPs Support Teenagers Facing Long Mental Health Care Delays
Source: Australian Journal of Primary Health study