Wellways is proud to partner with Grampians Health to deliver a new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) service in Ballarat. The service offers young people aged 16 to 25 mental health support closer to home.
The new YPARC service provides short-term residential support for young people experiencing mental health challenges. It offers a step-up, step-down model of care. Young people can stay at YPARC to help prevent a hospital admission or to support their recovery after leaving hospital.
For more than 20 years, Wellways has delivered Prevention and Recovery Care services across Victoria. We know that recovery looks different for everyone. That’s why YPARC brings together clinical care, psychosocial support and lived experience in one place. Young people, families and carers work alongside the team to build confidence, strengthen connections and plan for the future.
Wellways Chief Executive Officer Laura Collister said the new service reflects a shared commitment to helping young people get the right support at the right time.
“We know that when young people, alongside their families, carers and supporters, receive the right integrated support early, they build hope, strengthen connection and have every opportunity to create the future they want,” Ms Collister said.
Grampians Health Acting Chief Executive Officer Ben Kelly said the new YPARC service gives young people across the Grampians region greater access to specialist mental health support closer to home.
“This service expands the range of mental health treatment and support options available to young people in the Grampians region, helping more people access the care they need closer to home,” Mr Kelly said.
Wellways YPARC Program Manager Jo-Anne Otten said the partnership brings together the strengths of both organisations while keeping young people at the centre of care.
“YPARC gives young people a safe place to reflect, recover and build the skills they need to live a good life. Our focus is providing holistic support that helps each person achieve the goals that matter most to them, with support from a team that works together around their needs,” Ms Otten said.
The Ballarat YPARC service has opened and is now supporting young people across the Grampians region. It is part of the Victorian Government’s investment to expand Youth Prevention and Recovery Care services across the state.