A new child and youth mental health support service, Youthrive, is now providing psychological support to children and young people aged 0 – 24 with or at risk of developing severe mental health conditions.
Youthrive will be providing psychological therapies across the Darling Downs and West Moreton region via telehealth to children and young people.
The service is funded by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN and will work hand in hand with existing clinical and non-clinical care coordination child and youth services, their families and other health practitioners to support them in managing their mental health.
PHN CEO Merrilyn Strohfeldt said Youthrive was an important new service for the region and joined a number of services already funded by the PHN to support the mental health of this important cohort.
“Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in our region is a priority for our PHN,” Ms Strohfeldt said.
“Youthrive delivers a flexible telehealth service that is able to provide support to children and young people residing in rural and regional communities where access to mental health care may be limited.
“This is particularly important due to our current environment with COVID-19 and subsequent social distancing measures.”
Youthrive Chief Operating Officer Amy McAlister said it was vital that children and young people received the support they needed during these stressful and uncertain times.
“This funding will provide children and young people who are struggling with their mental health access to additional psychology sessions to improve their health outcomes,” she said.
Federal Member for Groom the Hon Dr John McVeigh said “I congratulate the PHN on this important new service. There are few responsibilities more important than supporting and ensuring the wellbeing of children and young people – especially for those whose families and communities are impacted by on-going drought, COVID-19 or other challenges.”
Federal Member for Maranoa the Hon David Littleproud said telehealth consultations are re-shaping how healthcare is administered across the Bush. “The successful uptake of teleheath appointments in rural and remote areas provides faster access to the specialists and care young people need. It gives our youth and young adults many more options in how they manage their health needs if they can’t make it to a face-to-face consultation.”
Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz said “I congratulate the PHN for taking this proactive step, to increase mental health services and address need in our Scenic Rim, Lockyer and Ipswich regions. Youthrive will, during this extremely difficult period help our young people to refocus, take care of their emotional health and well-being and support families.”
Individuals wanting to access the service, or family members/loved ones wanting to link someone into the service, are encouraged to talk to their GP (doctor), or visit youthrive.com.au/booking to make an appointment.