SOAR program (Support, Opportunity and Resilience for Youth) - Perth metropolitan area

The SOAR program (Support, Opportunity and Resilience for Youth) provides intensive outreach support for young people aged 16-24 in the Perth metropolitan area who have moderate to severe mental health issues, with or without co-occurring AOD issues. SOAR Plus provides similar support alongside transitional accommodation. 

The program helps participants improve their mental health and wellbeing, maintain stable housing, build confidence, manage day-to-day living and start or re-engage with education and/or employment. 

About the SOAR program  

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.  

The service 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. 

Who is the SOAR program for?

Young people aged 16 to 24 in the Perth metropolitan area experiencing mental health issues. 

The SOAR program is commissioned by the Western Australian Mental Health Commission and funded by the Western Australian Government.   

About the SOAR Plus program

The SOAR Plus program helps young people aged 16 to 24 years experiencing mental health issues, including those with co-occurring alcohol and other drugs issues, who need short-term support to manage day-to-day living alongside transitional accommodation.

As part of SOAR Plus, young people can access one-on-one support connecting them with non-clinical care and other services they may need. This may include supports to improve their physical health and emotional stability, connect to community, family and friends, secure employment, advance their education and skills, and tenancy support. It also provides help with transitional accommodation and clinical case management through a public mental health team.

Young people will be provided with varying levels of support each week, depending on their individual needs. These packages will assist young people living in the community, independently in transitional accommodation, to increasingly participate in and contribute to community, social, and economic life. Where applicable, the packages will also provide support to family members.

SOAR Plus was previously known as the Youth Transitional Housing and Support Packages Program.

How do I register my interest in the SOAR program or SOAR Plus?  

Referrals are managed by Hope Community Services, the SOAR Program Coordinator. Visit the WA Mental Health Commission website for more information. Contact [email protected] or the SOAR Lead Peer Practitioner on 0407 399 550.

Why choose Mind for youth mental health support services?  

Mind Australia provides individualised, evidence-based and recovery focused support to more than 11,000 people experiencing mental health and wellbeing concerns in Australia every year.  

Mind partners with health, community, and government organisations to provide holistic support and a safe environment for people experiencing mental health and wellbeing concerns to live in the community.  

Mind 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.  

We are a leading employer of people with lived experience of mental ill-health, recognising their unique ability to connect with and motivate clients and guide recovery.