Mental health services for young people
In December 2012, new initiatives were announced to enhance the Mental Health Commissions ongoing work in providing mental health care for Western Australian’s young people.
The Mental Health Commission has provided $15.3 million over three years for a new initiative - Early Psychosis Youth Centre (EPYC). This is the first centre of its kind in Western Australia, specifically designed to each year assist about 600 young people aged 15-24 years, by intervening early in the development of psychosis and mental illness and reducing its negative consequences to young people, their families and carers.
An important component of the EPYC is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week flexible, home-based assessment service provided by a multidisciplinary team, including a skill mix of doctors, mental health nurses, psychologists, social workers and/or occupational therapists offering triage, assessment and crisis intervention services.
In addition, the Commission and the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention have provided $473,700 in funding for six new child and adolescent mental health positions in the Perth area. Another $200,000 has been allocated to the Department of Education for a dedicated school psychologist that will work with schools to identify children at risk and connect them with mental health services.
The suicide prevention initiative will offer extra support to young people and provide guidance to school staff on how to best identify, support and get appropriate treatment for students who they feel may be experiencing acute mental health issues.
The Mental Health Commission is dedicated to advancing a new and comprehensive youth stream approach for young people with mental health problems and/or mental illness as is outlined in our ten-year strategic policy Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business.
Summary of Mental Health Services for Young People in Western Australia.
For a detailed list of mental health services and supports search the Mental Health Services Directory.
Good Outcomes Awards: Nominations Open
Do you know an outstanding person, group, service or a partnership in the mental health sector who deserves to be recognised?
The Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards are an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the high standard and ongoing commitment demonstrated by those involved in innovative and effective programs, services and partnerships which address key mental health issues at a local, regional or statewide level in Western Australia.
Nominations close on 19 July 2013. The Awards will be held on 8 October 2013 during Mental Health Week.
Welcome to the new look Head2Head magazine
This edition focuses on youth mental health and it is available in eBook
format. We hope you like the cleaner look and the more free-flowing structure of the magazine.
The copies are available free of charge - all you need to do is send us an email and subscribe.
If you have a question, would like to send us your personal story or profile your organisation please call us on 6272 1200 or email on Communications@mentalhealth.wa.gov.au
We hope you enjoy the new Head2Head magazine!
Everyone working together to encourage and support people who experience mental health problems and/or mental illness to stay in the community, out of hospital and living a meaningful life.