A much needed mental health service focused on supporting young people across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will be located close to Frankston Hospital.
Peninsula Health Mental Health Service will establish, provide clinical staff and manage the newly developed Youth Prevention and Recovery Care service. This service will be delivered in partnership with staff experienced in Rehabilitation, provided by Peninsula Support Services (PSS) and Mind.
Mind offers a range of services to assist people in their recovery from a mental illness and to secure safe and stable accommodation. Peninsula Support Services is a not-for-profit organisation that provides Support Rehabilitation, Intensive Outreach and Home Based Outreach Services to people with mental illness.
The Youth PARC will be built on 21-23 Yuille Street, close to Frankston Hospital. The medical clinic currently on the adjacent block of land will remain and construction of the purpose built Youth PARC will commence early in the new year. The new service will open in early 2012.
“There is a growing need on the Peninsula for youth oriented mental health services,” Executive Director Mental Health Jan Child said. Recent government reports indicate 1-in-5 people will seek support for a mental health issue during their lifetime.
“The $4million funding of this Youth PARC by the State Government, responds to these needs and expectations,” Ms Child said. Peninsula Health has consulted closely with the Frankston City Council, other local service providers and local community representatives on the establishment of the Youth PARC.
“Consultations and information programs for neighbours and the local community will continue until the service opens,” Ms Child said.
The Frankston Youth Prevention and Recovery Care Service will specifically cater to the needs of young people, aged between 16 and 25. It will provide an alternative to community treatment and hospital treatment and be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Youth PARC residents will be involved in a support, treatment and rehabilitation programs. The average length of stay is usually about two weeks but can be up to 28 days. Residents will be selected according to their suitability to be in a small unit. They will come from Frankston and surrounding areas including the Chelsea area and the Mornington Peninsula.
