Specialist mental healthcare for our vulnerable youth
Nov 19, 2024
Specialist mental healthcare for our vulnerable youth
Nov 19, 2024
A dedicated service designed to support marginalised young people is now available in Brisbane.
Brisbane Youth Services (BYS)’s new Specialised Mental Health Service offers critical support for young people aged 12 to 25, some with children, who are at risk or experiencing homelessness.
Commissioned by Brisbane North PHN and led by a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychologist, the service provides comprehensive mental health assessments, therapeutic interventions, and connections to additional support services to ensure that young people receive specialised, coordinated care that is tailored to their needs.
This critical stop gap will work to address the significant barriers young people often face in accessing affordable mental healthcare, as well as enable free and immediate access to diagnostics and support.
The PHN was pleased to join Member for Brisbane, Stephen Bates MP for the program’s official launch last Tuesday at BYS’ expanded Medical Clinic and new integrated Youth Support Centre in Fortitude Valley – a hub from which young people can access coordinated assistance with housing, physical health, mental health, alcohol and drug issues, domestic and family violence, and other related issues.
The interplay between health and homelessness was emphasised during roundtable discussion at the launch, wherein poor mental health often results in a pathway to homelessness for young people; while at the same time, young people often face significant barriers to accessing ongoing healthcare due to unstable housing situations.
The PHN welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with BYS to co-design the program, with strong support too from local member, Stephen Bates MP. Mr Bates said he was proud to be backing the PHN and BYS to make sure the local community is receiving the healthcare services they need.
Community-based mental health services are on the frontlines of every crisis facing Australians. Housing, loneliness, the pandemic and climate are all crushing young people and groups like Brisbane Youth Service are critical to making sure the weight on people isn't too much to bear.
In 2023-24, 58 per cent of young people engaged with BYS had a mental health diagnosis, and 71 per cent reported improvements in their mental health after support. The new service aims to further enhance these outcomes by providing expert mental health support where it is needed most and better equip and advocate for BYS’ team of general practitioners to manage complex mental health cases safely. This includes strengthening medication management and coordinating treatment options for complex challenges to provide a safe and accessible path to recovery or stability.
The BYS Specialised Mental Health Service marks a significant milestone in improving mental health services for vulnerable young people in our community, helping to build a safer and healthier future.
L to R: Caroline Radowski, Executive Manager | Mental Health and Wellbeing Brisbane North PHN, Di Mahoney | BYS Service Delivery Director, Libby Dunstan | Brisbane North PHN CEO, Member for Brisbane | Mr Stephen Bates MP, Peter Melrose, Team Leader | Infants, Children and Young People Brisbane North PHN, Pam Barker | BYS CEO, Liam Moriarty | BYS Clinical Services Senior Manager, Maddie Blunt, Coordinator | Priority Communities Brisbane North PHN.
