Emotion Regulation and Impulse Control (ERIC) Evaluation in Youth Services (2023)

Emotional Regulation and Impulse Control (ERIC) is an evidence-based approach licensed by Deakin University. It is a series of brief interventions targeted specifically at a youth demographic. Emotional regulation can be considered a core challenge for people experiencing mental health challenges across many diagnoses. In response to this challenge, Mind Australia implemented a trial of ERIC in their youth mental health programs – YORS, YRRS and YPARCs - in March 2022. The ERIC evaluation took a hybrid approach and explored implementation activities and related effectiveness. Service users and staff generously contributed their ideas and experiences to support effective delivery of the ERIC program going forward. 

Residents saw ERIC as providing valuable life skills. They emphasised that time, encouragement, and discussion were necessary to enacting the tools and synthesising learnings in a meaningful way, especially when they were experiencing difficulties with concentration, or had a diagnosed learning difficulty such as dyslexia. Residents emphasised how much processes of self-reflection and change demanded of them, often touching on triggers and feelings of shame. Encouragement and sufficient time for processing were necessary to the internalisation process.

Social inclusion in Mind’s Youth Outreach and Residential Services (2023)

This study analysed outcomes for service users accessing Youth Outreach Recovery Support (YORS) or Youth Residential Rehabilitation (YRR) Services between December 2019 and August 2022. 

The Living in the Community Questionnaire was used to assess social inclusion, finding that service users were more satisfied with the time spent socialising, and their sense of being part of a group or community, after accessing YORS or YRR services. Other outcomes also improved between entry and follow-up, including rates of employment, self-rated physical health, overall wellbeing, hopefulness for the future and happiness with their life. Clients were highly satisfied with the service they received from Mind, with nearly all clients (95%-97%) agreeing that Mind provides a welcoming service for everyone.

YRR and YORS outcome measures report – snapshot summary (PDF 674 KB)