What works?
Research into illicit drug use by mental health consumers aged 18-30: Raising awareness and changing behaviour through targeted promotion campaigns
NSW CAG worked in collaboration with the Mental Health Associations NSW (MHA), Mental Health Carers, ARAFMI (Association for the Relatives and Freinds of the Mentally Ill) NSW, and the University of Western Sydney to conduct research around cannabis use in young people who identify as having a mental illness. The "What Works?" Project.
The Project sought to understand what aspects of health promotion campaigns motivate young people with mental illness who use cannabis to cease or reduce use in order to inform the development of future campaigns. It asked the question "What Works?" in health promotion strategies to reduce cannabis use in young people who have a mental illness and who regurlarly use cannabis.
The Project involved focus groups with young people aged between 18 and 30 years old who had a mental illness and either had never used cannabis, were currently using cannabis, or who had used cannabis in the past and ceased use. A literature review was undertaken to inform the project and to develop the focus group questions. Ten focus groups were then conducted involving 35 people. During the focus groups, the following topics were discussed:
- present levels of knowledge, perceptions and behaviour regarding cannabis use
- reasons for cannabis use where mental health problems were already experienced
- what maintains use of cannabis
- what has promted or might prompt cessation of cannabis use
- suggestions for a health promotion campaign targeting young people with mental illness which aims to inform about the potentally problematic relationship between cannabis use and mental health
- comment on a poster produce by the Australian Government as part of its National Drugs Campaign
The information gathered through the focus groups was grouped into themes to understand "What Works?". The outcomes of the project were written up and published in the report "What Works?" Report into cannabis use by young adults living with a mental illness"
To download the report 
click here.