headspace Darwin Awarded for Excellence

Congratulations to headspace Darwin for winning the award for Excellence in Client Services at the Anglicare Australia National Conference. The award recognises headspace Darwin’s Youth Early Psychosis Program (hYEPP) and its commitment to keeping young people and their families central to all decision making and care.

The innovative service, developed by Orygen Youth Mental Health, has been tailored to suit the needs of the Darwin population, with young people and their families heavily involved in the design, implementation and ongoing strategy of the program.

Prior to the implementation of the Darwin hYEPP service, there were very limited treatment options for young people either at risk or currently experiencing psychotic symptoms. The over-burdened public mental health system would accept young people severely effected by mental illness but the focus was not on early intervention. By delivering a service that is targeting early intervention signs of psychosis, young people are displaying increased mental health and better long term development outcomes.

The Anglicare Australia National Awards for Innovation and Excellence, sponsored by Telstra, are held each year to recognise outstanding services, projects and programs provided by organisations in the Anglicare Australia network. The Awards program affirms the contribution of Anglicare agencies to the health and wellbeing of not only the individuals, but also Australian society.

Anglicare NT Executive Managers Jade Gooding and Terry Cleary accept the Anglicare Australia award.