Canberra youth program shows real gains in mental health and anger control
A three-year study by the University of Canberra examined Project 180. The study found it improved mental wellbeing for at-risk youth. It also helped with anger management and job readiness.
Canberra PCYC's Project 180 gives young people trauma-informed mentoring. It also provides education and case management.
The program helps young people facing complex challenges. These include school disengagement, unstable homes and crime exposure.
An independent three-year study found the program created meaningful positive changes. Mental wellbeing improvements were most consistent.
Coping skills and anger management also improved. Participants reported feeling anger less often and less intensely.
They also reported better control of their emotions. Young people showed more confidence in learning.
They showed improved job readiness. They developed stronger relationships with male carers and mentors.
Participants reported reduced offending. However, the study could not verify this as actual crime reduction.
Conviction data came in de-identified group lists rather than individual records. The ACT Government has committed $500,000 from the Crime Prevention Fund over two years to expand the program.
- 10 years
- Program age
- 3 years of data
- Evaluation period
- $500,000 over 2 years
- Funding commitment
- University of Canberra
- Evaluator
Why it mattersEarly intervention programs focus on mental health and emotional skills. These programs may help break cycles of offending and disengagement. However, this program still needs better tracking of crime results.
AustraliaThe Canberra program offers a model for other Australian regions working with at-risk young people, and the government funding commitment signals confidence in the approach across the ACT.
