12 August 2022
Young people in the Bendigo and Frankston regions will have better mental health support services with the announcement of a major upgrade of their Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) services.
Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams has released designs to refurbish and modernise the existing YPARC centres in Bendigo and Frankston, which are staffed by Mind Australia in partnership with local hospital networks. Another YPARC in Dandenong will also be upgraded.
These short stay residential services help young people 16-25 with mental health concerns to live independently and safely in the community. Mind Australia provides 24/7 recovery focused support at the service and the local hospital networks provide clinical support.
Mind CEO Gill 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.
“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,” Ms Callister said.
“This latest Victorian Government announcement will ensure we continue to provide the best possible care in services which are an important part of the support system for young people in these regions to manage their mental health and wellbeing.”
Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams said the refurbishments are part of a $3.8 billion investment which also includes five new YPARC services in Greater Ballarat, Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Heidelberg and Traralgon.
“We’re rebuilding our mental health system from the ground up to make sure all Victorians in crisis get the support they need, with facilities that are designed to create a welcoming, safe and therapeutic environment,” she said.
YPARCs provide a schedule of group activities alongside individual one on one support based on the young person’s strengths and goals as identified in the individual recovery plan they develop with their support worker.
The new facility designs reveal the exterior, internal fit-outs and outdoor areas, which have been carefully considered to create a welcoming and home-like environment.
The designs include main lounge and living areas, kitchen and outdoor areas - with barbecue spaces and a sensory courtyard to promote communal living both indoors and out, encouraging rest and recovery as well as support for family visits.
The Victorian Health Building Authority is set to begin construction in late 2022 and complete the projects by early 2024.
Find out more about Mind Youth Prevention and Recovery Care services in Bendigo and Frankston.
If you would like more information about Mind services, please contact us by submitting a form via Mind Connect or phone: 1300 286 463.
Mind Australia is one of the largest providers of community-managed psychosocial services in Australia with a range of residential, mobile outreach, centre-based and online services.
Psychosocial supports help people with mental health and wellbeing issues manage daily activities, rebuild and maintain connections, engage with education and employment, and participate fully in the community. These are supports which help people take positive steps in their recovery journey.
More information on what Mind does.
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
