The document discusses mental health issues affecting young people aged 12-25 and proposes a new service model called headspace to address these issues. Some key points: - 14-27% of young people experience mental health problems each year, with 75% of issues emerging before age 25. Up to 50% of substance abuse is preceded by mental health issues. - The headspace model proposes bridging gaps between services, providing early intervention, and making services accessible, youth-friendly and tailored to local needs. - It involves co-locating and integrating services, capacity building, and meaningful youth participation to help the large portion of young people affected by mental health and substance use issues.

1. headspace: getting the fit right
April 2012
Nick Prendergast

3. The Reality
14% of 12-17 year olds and 27% of 18-25 year olds experience
MH problems each year
75% of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25
Up to 50% of substance use problems are preceded by mental
health issues in young people
Overall, mental health and substance use disorders account for
60-70% of the burden of disease among 15-24 year olds.

4. Standard System Approach
Chronic and severe
mental health and AOD problems
Specialist and state based services
Mild – Moderate
mental health /AOD issues
Universal access
Early intervention and screening
Schools, TAFEs, University, Work, Home

5. Key Messages
Young people should have access to youth-specific services
Early intervention ensures timely treatment thus decreasing the
disruption to the young person’s life and preventing the
development of chronic disabilities
Services need to provide a range of evidence-based clinical
interventions to respond to the diverse range of needs and goals
that young people with mental health problems experience

6. A new paradigm in mental
health & AOD services
Bridging the gaps between;
•General health care and specialist services
•Commonwealth and State/Territory initiatives
•Adult and child systems
•Mental health and AOD services
Client group = ALL young people, aged between 12-25
Early intervention and early help seeking

7. A new paradigm in mental
health / AOD services
• No ‘gate keeping’, no ‘screening out’
• Services designed and tailored to meet client demand
• Locally relevant services
• Fee structure - free, low cost or fee for service
• Re-orienting and maximising the use of existing resources
• Meaningful youth participation
• Respectful family involvement

8. Headspace Centre
Model

9. Integration, coordination and
community capacity
Integration and Co-ordination:
•Common assessment, common management, improved
coordination
•Co-location
•Referral pathways
•Case review systems
Community capacity building:
Service provider education and training
Community awareness activities
Actively working with schools, TAFEs, Universities

10. Accessible youth
friendly services
The services must include the following:
•General health
•Mental health and counselling
•Education, employment and other services
•Alcohol and other drug services
Ideally service should include a broad range of youth and health
services to meet local needs
In kind sessions from consortium members and stakeholders

11. Co-location and sessional
services
The enhancement of the existing services and systems of
Consortium organisations and community partners:
• Co-location of services
• Sessional services
• Effective and efficient links to off site services

12. Components of hWM &
NMh
Direct Service Delivery using a multidisciplinary approach
• General practice, psychology, psychiatry, social work and occupational
therapy.
• Episode of Care model
Capacity Building
• Scoping of available services and difficulties in accessing services
• Improved coordination and mobilisation of existing resources
• Identification of training needs
• Coordination of training initiatives
• Roll-out of community awareness raising strategies
Research and Evaluation
• Development of new tools for assessment and early intervention
• Utilisation of existing neuropsychological and co morbidity expertise
• Contribution to knowledge of evidence-based approaches

13. Total young people: hWM &
NMh 2010-2011
Quarter Young People Occasions of Service
Q1 1046 3360
Q2 1007 3645
Q3 760 3155
Q4 789 3768
Total 3602 13928
Total unique young people 2010-2011: 2116*

14. Wait times
headspace Western Melbourne average waiting period between referral & first occasion of service
2010-2011

15. Pathways to care
headspace Western Melbourne referral sources Q4 2010-2011

16. How do young people find
out about headspace
National aggregate top 10 sources of information about headspace Q4 2010-2011

17. Demographic Profile
Gender profile of all headspace Western Melbourne clients who received a service in Q4 2010-
2011 (against national average)

18. Thank You
Nick Prendergast
nprendergast@G21.com.au
hWM ph: 61 3 5227 4016
NMh ph: 61 1300 880 218
Mob: 61 3 40109 1060