Examining the impact of a Health Justice Partnership service on the health and wellbeing of regional young people

Introduction: Young people with unaddressed legal matters are at risk of adverse consequences to their health and well-being. Health Justice Partnerships (HJP) can support young people in regional areas to address their legal matters and reduce the consequential deleterious impact. A Health Justice Partnership for Youth (HJPY) was established in western Victoria, Australia. The program was unique both for its regional location and focus: in supporting young people with their legal matters. This paper reports on research which was conducted alongside this program, examining a) the perceptions of regional young people and workers about the impact of legal matters on the health and well-being of young people, and b) the role of this HJPY in addressing these legal matters on health of young people.
Methods: Surveys were used to collect data from young people (n = 64) attending the HJPY and youth and allied health workers (n = 48) from partner and other agencies. Secondary data about the program was collected by the legal service. Data was collected across multiple timepoints over six years, upon commencement and completion of the program. 
Results: The findings showed that young people attending the program required assistance for a wide range of legal matters. Upon attending the HJPY, most young people indicated that their unresolved legal matters influenced their health and well-being including sleep, stress, concentration and relationships. After attending the program young people reported perceived improvements in their health and well-being, with workers observing improvements in young people’s mental health, mood and self-confidence. 
Discussion: The project highlights the importance that HJP offer young people in addressing their unmet legal needs, with resolution of these matters that support improved health and well-being and enabling them to move forward and focus on other areas of their lives. Youth and allied health workers in regional areas are integral in the early identification of young people with legal matters. They are integral to facilitating suitable referral pathways and services that support young people with their unresolved legal matters.
Keywords: health justice partnerships, legal matters, rural and regional, young people, youth and allied health workers.