A landmark report released this week by Orygen Youth Health Research Center lays bare the barriers young people with mental illness face when accessing education and work opportunities and makes recommendations to assist young people to realise their employment and educational dreams.

Mental health conditions and substance use disorders are responsible for 60-70% of the burden of disease for 15-24 year olds. 

According to the 2013 Youth AOD census, 35% of young people attending AOD treetment services had a mental health diagnosis and 43% had previously attempted suicide or self harmed.

‘Through the whole course of (their) illness, the number one goal that (young) people have is to get back to work or to complete their education and training.' Says Associate Professor Eóin Killackey, author of the report. 'Despite this great desire of people with severe mental illness to get back into the workforce they remain the group who are the most marginalised.’

This report comes as the Education Department releases data that 10,000 young people in Victoria alone are disengaged from schools and the Federal Government proposes cuts to education and disability support in their 2014 budget. 

You can read a snapshot of the reports findings here or download the full report Tell Them They're Dreaming.