Given the implications that mental health disorders can have, both on young people and those around them, it is critical that effective mental health services and interventions are in place and that they are relevant and easily accessible (as well as those who care for and support young people).

SEMPHN commissions primary mental health services within a person-centred stepped care model. We aim to provide youth-friendly services that are responsive to the varying mental health needs of young people and their families in our region.

SEMPHN’s youth mental health team is responsible for managing and implementing Commonwealth funded youth services across the region. They work in partnership with primary and tertiary (hospital) mental health service providers to reduce barriers to services and increase service’s ability to respond to the specific needs of youth.

In 2019-20, SEMPHN commissioned three new services across the region to support the mental health needs of our vulnerable youth.

Youth Mental Health services have continued to operate during COVID-19, however most have had to quickly adapt to new and innovative ways of delivering support. This included establishing online social groups, local social media campaigns and telehealth consultations.

 

SEMPHN works closely with local headspace centres, lead agencies and consortia partners in our region, in supporting continuous quality improvement, improving service accessibility and ensuring integration with broader health programs. This included commissioning services to achieve better health outcomes for young people.

Earlier this year, SEMPHN established a new headspace satellite site in Rosebud to supplement the existing services based in Frankston. The Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), who have delivered youth mental health services within the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula community since 2008, support the delivery of services out of the Rosebud site.

In 2019-20, SEMPHN also established headspace Hastings, an outpost service co-located at the Atticus Regional Medicentre to complement headspace Dandenong. The service is being delivered by EACH, who have over 45 years’ experience in delivering services that address physical, mental and psychosocial needs at a community and primary care level.

SEMPHN is proud to continue supporting its existing headspace centres in Dandenong, Narre Warren, Frankston, Bentleigh and Elsternwick.

Key highlights:

A snapshot of people accessing SEMPHN’s headspace network during 2019-20.

• 19,772 occasions of service

• 3,730 new young people

• 2,377 returning young people

 

 

18-year-old Claire (not her real name) experiences chronic symptoms of depression and has a severe language disorder. After a particularly severe episode, Claire transitioned from hospital care to the Youth Enhanced Program delivered at the headspace Hastings outpost for comprehensive treatment and support.

Claire was diagnosed with the language disorder in her primary school years, which made it difficult for her to learn and socialise with her peers. Claire successfully completed her Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) in 2019 and is now seeking employment and vocational pathways, however the disorder continues to create barriers and challenges with communication.

With the support of the resident speech pathologist at headspace, Claire has been able to communicate effectively in counselling, even transitioning to Telehealth and staying engaged with treatment through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over time, Claire has given consent to involve her mother in her treatment. This has facilitated better treatment planning tailored to Claire and her family. Claire is beginning to take on new activities between sessions and generally has a ‘give it a go’ attitude which has been wonderful for the headspace team to see.

Claire has commenced a transition-to-work program which is assisting her to find work. The headspace team is also supporting Claire in the early stages of accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) through EACH’s Access Project Program and Claire’s mother has been linked with carer peer support.

Through therapy, Claire continues to learn about how to manage her depressive symptoms, with the team at headspace Hastings supporting her to meet her goals.

 

BounceBack assists young people aged 12 – 25 who are experiencing severe and complex mental health difficulties with flexible, medium-term support in the community. The service provides case management, care coordination and psychological therapy to young people and their families

Funded by SEMPHN and delivered by YSAS and EACH, BounceBack is provided across three areas – Dandenong/Kingston, Casey/Cardinia and Frankston/Mornington Peninsula.