Construction has started on a new youth mental health service that will support the needs of young people in regional Victoria.
The Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) service in Traralgon will provide care for young people aged 16 - 25 who are experiencing psychological distress.
YPARC services were a priority recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, and are an alternative to hospital admission that provides early intervention care and a range of recovery focused supports.
Traralgon YPARC will be delivered by Mind and Latrobe Regional Hospital. It will feature 10 bedrooms complete with ensuite bathrooms, a communal kitchen, dining and living areas, breakout spaces and outdoor garden areas. It will also include space for leisure and recreational activities, recovery focused group activities and tailored one-to-one support. The YPARCs also encourage family and carer involvement as appropriate.
Specialist mental health staff are available 24 hours a day at YPARC services. They support young people to stabilise their mental health and build the skills to live safely and securely in the community.
Mind CEO Gill Callister said the YPARC model of early intervention care can help ensure moments of crisis don’t become life-long conditions.
“YPARCs reduce pressure on hospitals by providing early intervention care and recovery focused support as an alternative to hospital admission for young people in crisis,” Ms Callister said.
“The YPARC model of early intervention care can make all the difference in ensuring that moments of crisis don’t become permanent conditions through lack of support.
“We look forward to developing our partnership with Latrobe Regional Hospital, and providing holistic wrap around mental health and wellbeing support for young people in Traralgon.”
Mind has been working with young people for more than 25 years. We have an established range of youth services in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, including youth residential services, youth Step Up Step Down (SUSD) or PARC services, youth residential rehabilitation, youth outreach services and headspace centres.
Outcome measures data from Mind PARC and SUSD residents in the 2022-2023 Financial Year demonstrates that service users experienced both a significant reduction in psychological distress, as well as significant improvement in overall recovery between service entry and exit.
For more information about Mind’s range of youth services, visit the Mind Service finder or phone 1300 286 463.
If this article raises concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders can also call 13 YARN (13 92 76) a 24/7 national crisis support telephone service staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.