Melton youngsters experiencing their first episodes of psychosis could soon get better – and more reliable – access to mental health care.
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network is set to fund services and projects that will help improve the outcomes for young people experiencing psychosis for the first time.
While Melton isn’t overly-represented in mental illness statistics, the network’s acting chief executive, Julie Borninkhof, said the municipality doesn’t have services or medical centres to cope with the population growth.
She said there tends to be a more reactive, rather than proactive, approach in Melton.
“The research shows us that, while there isn’t necessarily a significantly higher number of young people in Melton accessing services, those who are requiring services can’t find them, and the services that are there aren’t frequently available,” Ms Borninkhof said.
The services must have a “local flavour”, as young people don’t necessarily access generic services, she said.
And unless young people are able to access treatment early on, their mental health could deteriorate further, she stressed.
“We want to make sure there is support available for people at an early stage, before they are at risk of more serious interventions, like hospitalisation.
“It’s really an urgent issue for us, which is why we are working to establish partnerships as quickly as possible and get services operating from early next year.”
Mental illness is one of the biggest issues for people aged between 15-24, with Headspace data revealing there is a greater progression of mental illness among young people in the north-west.
Ms Borninkhof said the health network wants to fund services that reach young people many of whom wouldn’t otherwise access care, but who would benefit from personalised, holistic support.
Tenders for new youth mental health services will close on Friday, November 25, with successful providers to be announced in late December. Tender information can be found online at: goo.gl/Pjx6LR.
