Youth participation in mental health and substance use research: Implementation, perspectives, and learnings of the Matilda Centre Youth Advisory Board

Background: The benefits of embedding youth voices in research is increasingly recognised by researchers, national funding bodies and young people. To ensure that best practice youth participation models can be implemented, it is paramount that existing models and practices are described, and the impacts of these models are subsequently evaluated. Aims: This study aimed to: i) describe the implementation of a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) in a mental health and substance use research centre; ii) assess staff and YAB perspectives regarding the implementation of the YAB; and iii) ascertain suggestions for how the voices of young people could be better integrated into research. Methods: Staff (n = 19) and YAB members (n = 7) completed an online survey regarding their perceptions of youth participation in research and on the impact of the YAB. Results: Staff cited various barriers to involving young people more directly in research (such as time and funding) and YAB members offered suggestions for improving youth participation further (such as increasing professional development opportunities and involving YAB members at the beginning stages of projects). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of overcoming barriers to engaging young people in research so these models may continue to meet the needs of young people and researchers. To achieve this, dedicated youth participation funding and longitudinal evaluation of relevant models is required.