Youth Wait Lists Out Of Control

Youth Wait Lists Out of Control

Over 562 young people on a waitlist for appointments at Headspace in the North of Melbourne.

Demand has risen 30% for youth mental health supports.

In 2021 I contacted Area Mental Health and was advised the wait time is 10 months for a mental health assessment for a very unwell young person!

In 2021, young people were waiting 40 days for a Headspace appointment, in 2022 it is 60 days, and some centres are stating a 6 month wait time.

A Murdoch Children’s Institute study indicated a 44 day wait time for a psychiatrist and $176 out of pocket expense for the appointment, which most families we support simply can not afford.

I am sharing this article (linked below) again because not much has changed. In fact, things are getting worse. The state and federal governments are investing (welcome & appreciated) in Area Mental Health Services & Headspace. But it is simply not enough. We know we need more clinicians into service centres, but what about those of us out there in community at all hours of the day and night. We need resources in community, in outreach. The pandemic and associated lockdowns have impacted young people severely. We're seeing increased mental health presentations, substance use, homelessness, and disconnection from school and work. We need help and we need it now!

$870 million into headspace over 4 years is great, but what about the community outreach services? Nothing!

We focus on the young people who do not present. Who are out in community struggling with mental health, entrenched in poverty! Our YHOP program is an assertive outreach model that finds the most unwell and disengaged young people and supports them for 6 months with brief interventions through goal orientated care plans. We have partnered with Hume Council and Moreland Council for almost 4 years and have supported over 600 young people in this time. From skate parks to shopping centres. We're called upon to divert contact with the justice system, help kids in crisis at home and find housing.

We connect young people with the service system for support but have capacity to support them while waitlists continue to balloon. While the funding for existing services is welcome, we need funding and focus on finding those that struggle most and supporting them to make real change instead of languishing on a wait list.

YHOP works alongside our specialist Youth AOD program that supports young folk enduring substance misuses conducted 4,168 appointments in 21/22 more than double the previous year of 1565 appointments. Cannabis use has doubled on our caseload to over 63% of kids, with a majority stating it was a coping mechanism for their circumstances.

In the last 12 months YHOP in the City of Hume supported 150 12–25-year-olds with housing, family violence, mental health, employment, and wellbeing. Over 90% of clients reported improved wellbeing and social connectedness during this time.

We are launching a campaign to have a YHOP pilot extended across 10 priority LGA’s in Victoria. We will find, support, connect and guide young people to navigate our very complex service system. YHOP saves lives! YHOP is cost effective usually requiring funding at half the levels of tertiary settings. For a minimal investment of $4m a year we could support up to 1500 young people to get the care they need. Is it too much to ask for $2666 to change or save a kids life?

Government, Philanthropy, Business & Community all have a role to play. We need more folk like the ERDI Foundation and corporate partners Franklin Templeton who have already invested seed funding for new regions. Reach out today to get involved!

AGE ARTICLE: Innovative mental health solutions emerge amid surge in demand for services.

#youthmentalhealth #funding