New youth mental health service opens on Peninsula
Victoria's first prevention and recovery service specifically for young people experiencing mental health issues was officially opened in Frankston today by Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge.
Opening the new Peninsula Youth Prevention and Recovery Care Service (Y-PARC) with the Member for Frankston Geoff Shaw, Ms Wooldridge said the service offers a youth focussed response to the health and mental health needs of young people in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula area.
The Peninsula Y-PARC provides 24-hour treatment and support for young people aged 16-25 years and is being operated by Peninsula Health in partnership with MIND Australia and Peninsula Support Services.
"This service has a critical role in caring for young people, providing intensive help earlier," Ms Wooldridge said.
"It is particularly aimed at young people who need residential support as an alternative to inpatient care, or to help them transition from hospital back into the community.
The Victorian Government has invested about $4.5 million to establish the facility and about $1.8 million a year to run the service.
Ms Wooldridge said that 75 per cent of severe mental health problems emerge before the age of 25.
"Y-PARC is consistent with our commitment to ensuring young people get the support and expert advice they need as early as possible.
"It acknowledges that we need to deliver youth friendly services, providing the physical and social surrounds that encourage and support young people to get help," Ms Wooldridge said.
Mr Shaw welcomed the Y-PARC as part of a broader and co-ordinated response for young people in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula along with Youth Early Intervention, Youth Early Psychosis services and Headspace.
"The Y-PARC will support an integrated mental health, drug and alcohol service in response to the high levels of disadvantage experienced by some of Frankston's young people," Mr Shaw said.
Ms Wooldridge said that additional Prevention and Recovery Care services (PARC) are an important part of the Coalition's significant election commitment to improve mental health services and deliver better outcomes for clients, their families and carers.
"PARCs provide vital care for people who no longer need hospital treatment for mental illness, while also reducing pressure on hospital beds by providing early intervention care and an alternative to hospital admission," Ms Wooldridge said.
"Along with the Frankston Y-PARC, the Coalition Government is also investing in additional Y-PARC sites in Bendigo and Dandenong. Victoria also has 14 adult PARC services and a further six under planning and construction."
