By Maddison Howell
Young people across the Goulburn Valley will have greater access to mental health support closer to home, with the opening of a new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre in Shepparton.
The centre aims to bridge a gap in regional mental health services, allowing young people aged 16 to 25 to access support earlier in their recovery, rather than travelling to Melbourne for care.
GV Health Associate Director for Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Services Sally Thomas said the centre would provide more opportunities for early intervention.
“The main gap YPARC fills is that access gap within a regional community,” she said.
The centre offers a home-like environment where young people can work towards recovery with support from clinical staff and peer workers who have lived experience of mental health challenges.
“They can expect to be welcomed by someone who has actually been in their shoes,” Ms Thomas said.
Alongside clinical treatment, the service supports young people to develop everyday skills, engage in education and work towards returning to employment.
Its approach also encourages young people to have a say in their care, with families, carers and other important people involved in their care, with the young person’s permission.
Robyn Hucker said the service marked a shift towards listening to what young people need, rather than professionals leading treatment decisions.
“When someone has to go away to become well, it only makes them feel more socially isolated and that can really impact them,” she said.
Greater Shepparton Mayor Geoff Akers welcomed the service, saying the community would benefit from having another support option for local young people.
Ms Thomas said the hope was that young people could access help sooner and feel supported within their own communities.
“We want young people and the professionals that work with them to know that when things are getting tough and they feel like they can’t manage their mental health, that YPARC is a really good option for them,” she said.
YPARC is located at 5-7 Numurkah Road and 107-109 Balaclava Road, Shepparton. Contact via GV Health on 03 5832 2322.
