Adolescence and young adulthood is a significant transition period in a person’s life—finishing
school, undertaking further education, entering the workforce, moving out of the family home,
forming relationships and starting a family (see Chapter 4 ‘Transitions to independence’). The
majority of the estimated 3.1 million young people aged 15–24 in Australia (at June 2014) cope well
with these transitions and are able to successfully negotiate these milestones without significant
difficulty. However, a minority do not cope as well and may experience mental and behavioural or
substance use disorders and/or may require some additional support.