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Young people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges in Perth may be eligible to access psychosocial support from Mind Australia.  

Mind has been selected as a Youth Psychosocial Support Package provider, and will develop and implement individualised plans for young people with moderate to severe mental ill-health.  

The Youth Psychosocial Support Packages (YPSP) program is a partnership between the WA Mental Health Commission and community service organisations Pillar Support Coordination, Anglicare WA and Mind. 

Young people aged 16-24 years in the Perth metropolitan area can receive intensive outreach support for 12 months to help improve their mental health and wellbeing, build confidence, manage day-to-day living and start or re-engage with education and/or employment.  

Outreach support involves a Mind support worker visiting the young person in their home or other locations – bringing mental health support to the individual.  

Participants will use Mind’s My Better Life Plan – an evidence based practice tool that supports conversations between the young person and Mind community mental health practitioners that bring to the forefront the young person’s views, values and motivation for change across key life areas.  

Youth Psychosocial Support Packages - commissioned by the Western Australian Mental Health Commission and funded by the Western Australian Government – will prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQA+, young people in residential care and those with co-occurring disability.  

Mind CEO Gill Callister said psychosocial supports help young people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges to take part in community, social and economic life.  

“These are supports which help young people take meaningful, positive steps in their mental health recovery journey,” Ms Callister said.  

“Our research shows community based psychosocial support reduces hospitalisations and promotes sustained recovery for people with mental health and wellbeing challenges.  

“As one of the largest providers of community-managed psychosocial services in Australia, we know the difference these services can make for young people as well as their families and carers.”  

Mind already has an established range of youth services in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. The Youth Psychosocial Support Packages will be the first time Mind has provided dedicated youth services in Western Australia.  

“Mind’s focus for young people is about improving their state of wellbeing, which emphasises positive relationships, economic participation and being a proactive member of their community,” Denise Cumming, Mind’s Executive Director of Operations for Western Australia, said.  

“Mind delivers a range of services that specifically support young people aged 12-25 years, including youth residential services, youth Step Up Step Down facilities, youth residential rehabilitation, youth suicide prevention and outreach services, headspace centres, youth recovery college groups and adventure-based programs.  

“Our research shows community based psychosocial support reduces hospitalisations and promotes sustained recovery for people with mental health and wellbeing challenges. 
- Gill Callister PSM​, Chief Executive Officer, Mind Australia

“The principles that underpin Mind’s approach to recovery-orientated practice for young people are: evidence-based service delivery, building trusting relationships, working collaboratively with other organisations and ensuring our practice is inclusive and sensitive to the needs of families and carers.”  

Referrals to the program are managed by Support Pillar Coordination. Speak with a Pillar Support Coordination Peer Support Worker on (08) 6253 4700 or email [email protected] for more information. Nominations for referrals close in June 2023. 

For more information on Mind support services near you, contact us via Mind Connect or phone: 1300 286 463.  

If this article raises concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Strait 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.  

Psychosocial supports – like the kind provided by Mind – 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.