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 provide 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,” Ms Strohfeldt said.
“This is particularly important due to our current environment with COVID-19 and subsequent social distancing measures.”
Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz welcomed the latest announcement by the Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network, saying it complimented the extensive work the Australian Government was doing to deliver more mental health services and support.
“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.
“To date, the Government has announced and funded a number of new and additional services in this space to meet demand.
“Including $74 million in Coronavirus mental health related assistance, to open up new initiatives such as the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service being delivered by BeyondBlue, eheadspace to support our young people to remain in education and connected to transitioning to work and created a new role of Chief Mental Health Officer while also bolstering the Head to Health portal.
“I thank the PHN for their work in this area to support our community.”
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).
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