Individual Placement and Support Trial at headspace Darwin

headspace Darwin is excited to announce it has been selected as one of 14 headspace centres nationally to participate in an Individual Placement Support (IPS) trial through the Department of Social Services.

The Darwin IPS trial, commencing in February 2017 and based at the headspace centre in Casuarina, aims to ensure that young people experiencing mental health issues are supported to gain and keep a job. The service will employ two employment workers to connect employment and vocational support with clinical mental health support, and focuses on the individual needs of people with mental illness who are seeking to enter or remain in education or employment.

headspace Darwin is run by Anglicare NT. Anglicare NT CEO, Dave Pugh, says that this is a vital addition to mental health services in Darwin.

“We see over 1,200 young people per year. Mental health issues can be a real barrier to gaining and keeping employment, yet a good job is often something that keeps people mentally healthy. This innovative new service model will provide a vital link between headspace, young people, employers and other support and employment services. It will make a big difference.”

“Mental illness often first occurs in adolescence and early adulthood. It is estimated that about 75 per cent of mental health disorders have developed by the age of 25. Mental illness for this group can therefore impact negatively on educational attainment and transition to the workforce, leading to poor employment outcomes. Many teenagers and young adults with a mental health condition do not complete Year 12, and are at high risk of long term labour market disadvantage and of welfare dependency.”

“In the 2015 Budget, the Australian Government announced funding of over $330 million to implement a Youth Employment Strategy as part of a broader $5.5 billion Growing Jobs and Small Business Package. The Strategy’s aim is to tackle high youth unemployment.”

“Under the IPS trial, professional vocational specialists will be fully integrated into clinically-focussed youth mental health services. They will provide career development advice and vocational and employment assistance to young people with mental illness up to the age of 25, in tandem with clinical support and non-vocational assistance.”

“Vocational support for young people experiencing mental illness is a crucial area of support and this project will complement the headspace Darwin suite of programs.”