About us

At the Research Alliance for Youth Disability and Mental Health (or ‘RAY’), we aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians with disability.

Our team includes experts with a range of skills, including lived experience of disability. We are trained in many research methods and disciplines. This mix of knowledge and experience helps us to drive meaningful change.

We speak to young people with disability and analyse a diverse range of data sources. This provides us with a detailed understanding of their experiences. It also tells us about the challenges faced in transitioning to adulthood.

Through our research and collaboration with young people with disability, we aim to identify and co-design policies that are youth-centred and reflective of their needs. These evidence-based interventions will address barriers and promote opportunities for everyone to succeed.

Our goal is to develop solutions that empower young Australians with disability to achieve better mental health and lead fulfilling lives.

RAY is funded by 5-year Synergy Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) (Grant ID: 2010290).

Our team work at six collaborating universities and their expertise covers a wide range of fields and disciplines including:

• Epidemiology and public health

• Sociology

• Linguistics

• Health communication

• Employment and labour markets

• Gender