A new local Youth Health Hub is now offering support to young people through phone and video call.
The Youth Health Hub is for people aged 12-25 in the Lilydale, Yarra Ranges and surrounding areas.
It will provide mental and general health support while also offering life skills and support. Due to Covid-19 the hub is currently only operating virtually but services are set to expand as restrictions ease.
The Youth Health Hub is operated by Inspiro Community Health Service and partners, including Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation, Eastern Community Legal Centre, Anchor housing services and Cire education services.
Inspiro CEO Sue Sestan said young people and their families can connect with the hub by text, phone or chat via the website.
“Services include mental health, youth counselling, sexual health, dietetics, exercise physiology, housing and homelessness assistance, outreach support, education support, supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth groups, legal assistance and youth-friendly GP services among others,” she said.
Youth representative Josh Bruni said the hub is an important step forward for youth mental health as vulnerable young Victorians’ needs were often not met.
“Creating a one stop shop where young people can go to get supported and get the help they need, will go a long way to supporting young people and creating brighter futures,” he said.
The hub will be supported by $4.5 million of Federal Government Funding over three years.
“Along with a separately funded headspace satellite service, the Lilydale based hub will deliver vital health and support services for young people living in the outer east, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges,” Casey MP Tony Smith said.
A Youth Reference Group is involved in designing, monitoring and evaluating hub activities and services during its operation.
Teams at the Youth Health Hub will also work in collaboration with the Knox headspace satellite and Main Street Medical in Lilydale.
