The Peninsula Health Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is proud to publish its new ‘Discharge Passport’, an innovative and interactive journal for young people transitioning from our services to the broader community.
Led by Senior Youth Consumer Consultant Melissa Keller-Tuberg, the Discharge Passport has been developed through a true co-design process which included 18 young people, their families, carers and supporters.
“In the initial Infant, Child and Youth co-design, we heard clearly and strongly that leaving services is one of the most challenging parts of young people and their families, carers and supporters’ journeys navigating the mental health system,” says Mel.
“One story captured the experience of receiving a ‘pile of papers’ about discharge, which was overwhelming and difficult to understand.”
“This highlighted how young people aren’t getting all the information they need in order to feel as comfortable and confident as they can as they prepare to leave our service.”
Available in digital and print versions, the Discharge Passport includes illustrations, interactive elements, journaling prompts and customisable features. It walks through a letter from the young person’s care team, goal setting, and wellness plans, heading back to school, work or study, feedback, advocacy, and more.
The Discharge Passport is being rolled out as part of Peninsula Health’s expanded Infant, Child and Youth service, alongside a quality improvement and assurance project which will measure its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes, to understand how the resource improves their experience of being supported, confident and prepared for discharge.
“We look forward to ongoing feedback from staff, consumers, and carers as we continue to refine and improve our service offerings.” Peninsula Health would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the co-design crew, staff members, for their efforts on this project. It has been a collective
