ATYP Impact Evaluation
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Introduction
This section introduces ATYP and the need for this project. The introduction to this report first looks at the history of ATYP and how it currently measures impact among its participants. It then outlines the current and concerning landscape for young Australians and their mental health before touching on other research that is establishing links between the arts and mental health and wellbeing. Finally, the needs of ATYP for this impact assessment are described.
History of ATYP ATYP is Australia’s national youth theatre company and also Australia’s oldest (established 1963). The Company’s vision is to forever raise the expectations of what theatre with young people can achieve. ATYP exists to help young people find their voice and together, inspire all Australians. The Company believes that an involvement in theatre builds better people. Theatre develops confidence, creativity and community. It challenges us to reflect on and better understand ourselves and our society. Young people are a vital part of that society. ATYP has four main goals: • Be indisputably recognised nationally and internationally as a leading theatre company that fearlessly champions young artists • Inspire a life-long love of theatre by connecting young people with the professional theatre industry • Pioneer and be responsive to the use of technology to enrich the experience of, and expand access to, ATYP • Lead, strengthen and celebrate the Australian Youth Arts community.
Mental health of young Australians Given the latest research into Australian young people’s mental wellbeing, ATYP feel the time is right to evaluate the impacts of youth theatre on mental health. Mission Australia's 2016 Youth Survey found that concerns about mental health across Australia have doubled since 2011. About 22,000 people aged 15 to 19 took part in the survey and more than 20% cited mental health as one of the nation’s top issues. Concerns about mental health were at their highest level in the survey's 15-year history. The Survey also found that almost one in four (22.8%) teens aged 15-19 are in psychological distress and meet the criteria for a probable serious mental illness (PSMI), which means some 750,000 young people are affected. Females are twice as likely to meet the criteria than males, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a higher likelihood than the general population. Good mental health and wellbeing is incredibly important for young people. In an open letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, psychologist and parenting expert Michael Carr-Gregg explained that 75% of all psychological problems in adults start under the age of 25.
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