YACWA is currently undertaking consultation projects on behalf of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) to inform the direction of youth mental health and/or alcohol and other drugs (AOD) system in WA. This includes an opportunity to attend a two day metropolitan youth summit, an online regional summit, complete online surveys and attend three service design workshops.
These consultations are crucial opportunities for the voice of young people to lead the way in creating better youth mental health/AOD services which improve outcomes for young people in WA. Below are the details of each opportunity for you to get involved.
Consultations to inform the Design and Development of Three Youth Mental Health Service Models
The first project is consultations to inform the development of three service models announced as part of the State Government’s recent election commitments. These models of service include the state’s first youth-specific ‘Step Up, Step Down’ Service, a Youth Long-term Housing and Support Program, and Youth Psychosocial Support Packages and more information can be found here.
The MHC has asked the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) to work with young people to design these three services and we have developed an online survey and will be hosting one workshop for each service to make sure your voice heard in any way that you choose! If you are a young person aged 16-24 we want your help to find out how these services can be safe, accessible and welcoming for every young person. Young people will be paid for their time to attend the workshops and can enter the draw to win a $100 gift card upon completing the online survey.
Here’s all the information you need to register for the workshops or complete the survey –
Youth Mental Health Service Model Design Survey:
Link to Survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2KD536R
The survey is available to complete for young people aged 16-25 with experiences of mental health and/or AOD challenges and applications close 5pm, Thursday 30th of September.
Youth Mental Health Service Model Design Workshops:
Workshop 1 (Step-up Step-Down’ Support Service Consultation)
Date & Time – Tuesday 14 September, 2pm – 5pm
Location – Foyer Oxford, Leederville
Link to register – https://events.humanitix.com/youth-mental-health-and-aod-workshops
Workshop 2 (Long Term Housing and Support Package)
Date & Time – Tuesday 21 September, 2pm – 5pm
Location – Foyer Oxford, Leederville
Link to register – https://events.humanitix.com/youth-mental-health-and-aod-workshop-long-term-housing-and-support-service
Workshop 3 (Youth Psychosocial Support Package)
Date & Time – Tuesday 5 October, 12-3pm
Location – Foyer Oxford, Leederville
If you have any questions or would like to give any feedback directly please contact YACWA Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer Stefaan Bruce-Truglio on 9227 5440 or at stefaan@yacwa.org.au.
Consultations to inform the Youth Mental Health Priorities for Action in WA:
The second project aims to involve young people in designing the implementation of the key priorities outlined in the MHC’s the ‘Young People’s Priorities for Action, 2020-2025‘ which provides guidance for the mental health and AOD sector to improve their response to the needs of young people aged 12 to 25 in WA. This document is a collection of 76 key actions the MHC have created to address the gaps in WA’s youth mental healthcare sector. Consulting with young people will help us to determine which priorities require the most urgent support and funding.
To assist with the consultative process, young people are encouraged to apply to attend either a two-day, in person Metropolitan Youth Mental Health & AOD summit, or to attend a half-day online Regional Youth summit to provide their input. This event has been designed by 10 young people with lived experience who have worked together over the last three months.
Due to capacity restrictions there is a limit of 30 young people with lived experience of either mental health and/or alcohol and other drugs (AOD) aged 16 to 25 able participate in these events and so an application process is now open. Those who participate will be reimbursed for their time. Young people currently residing in regional areas are also encouraged to participate in a survey that will provide guidance to making change outside the Perth metropolitan area.
Here’s all the information you need to apply to attend the Summits or complete the regional survey –
Metropolitan Youth Mental Health and AOD Summit
Date & Time – 30 September & 1 October
Location – The Platform, Perth
Link to apply – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YouthMHAODsummit
Applications close 5pm, Friday 10th September.
Regional Youth Mental Health and AOD Summit
Date & Time – Wednesday the 6th of October, 10am – 2pm
Location – Online
Link to apply – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RegionalMHAODsummit
Applications close 5pm, Friday 17th September.
YPPA Regional Engagement Survey –
Responses are open for all regional young people aged 16-24.
If you have any questions or would like to give any feedback directly please contact YACWA Business Development and Consultancy Manager Lianda Gibson on 9227 5440 or at lianda@yacwa.org.au.
