Editorial Perspective: A call to collective action – improving the implementation of evidence in children and young people's mental health

Abstract

With growing mental health needs of children and young people and the increasing demand on children and young people’s mental health services, narrowing the evidence to practice implementation gap has never been more important. Implementation science and research provides useful theory, identification of barriers and facilitators as well as suggested strategies for improved uptake of evidence-based treatments, but the application of these is often limited. Supporting optimal learning and implementation cultures based on collaborative, relational and pragmatic action planning is likely key. We propose suggested next steps and recommendations to move this agenda forward within the children and young people’s mental health field with a ‘call to action’. With the need for specific roles and clear accountability, we emphasise that between clinicians, researchers, consumers and policy makers this is everyone’s business.