A new way to access mental health and wellbeing support will soon be available in Brisbane South thanks to the headspace In-Reach Program.
The program is a partnership between Metro South Health Addiction and Mental Health Services (MSAMHS), four local headspace centres, and their respective lead agencies.
Principal Allied Health Project Officer and Clinical Psychologist Jessica Haratsis said the clinical in-reach to headspace services initiative implementation was developed by Queensland Health Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Service (MHAODS) Branch and headspace National, Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation.
Jess said the service was for young people aged 12 to 25 with moderate mental health concerns, who were at risk of falling into the ‘missing middle’.
“The missing middle is what we call the group of young people who are ineligible for tertiary mental health services because their needs aren't severe or complex enough, but who still fall outside of headspace's scope,” Jessica said.
“Under the program, consultation and liaison services, assessment, and brief intervention services will be provided by Metro South Health staff at four headspace locations at Capalaba, Meadowbrook, Beaudesert, and Inala.
“Having two services in the one space will help facilitate more seamless, connected care for patients.”
MSAMHS Executive Director Kieran Kinsella said the program would help to improve the health of young people by providing the right care at the right time, in a youth-friendly setting.
“The benefits are two-fold,” he said.
“Consumers benefit as they are able to be stepped up or down in their care within the same location, while MSAMHS staff benefit through improved connections with the headspace centre staff.
“The service also aims to build capacity of headspace clinicians by providing training and consultation liaison services to headspace staff.”
The establishment of the headspace In-Reach Program is part of the Queensland Government’s $1.645 billion Better Care Together Plan to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug services across the state.
headspace Capalaba is expected to the be the first centre to introduce the program with Meadowbrook, Beaudesert and Inala following soon after.