More Early Psychosis Services for Young Australians

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PDF printable version of More Early Psychosis Services for Young Australians (PDF 15 KB)

8 December 2011

Thousands of young Australians experiencing early psychosis, or psychotic disorders, are a step closer to accessing innovative new youth early psychosis services.

The Gillard Government is investing $222.4 million for the establishment of 16 new services and has formally invited State and Territories to partner with the Commonwealth by providing matching contributions.

“I have written to the States and Territories seeking expressions of interest for the first round of the national rollout of these 16 new services over the next 5 years,” Mr Butler said.

Once these services are up and running, young people will be able to access intensive clinical and non-clinical support including care in the home, case management, pharmacological and psychological treatments and social and vocational recovery programs.

“Young people with psychosis struggle to access scarce specialist services and often face lengthy delays between the first experience of symptoms, diagnosis and services actually being delivered,” Mr Butler said.

“For the first time the Commonwealth Government is partnering with the States and Territories to ensure more young people get the services they need, when and where they need them”.

“Around three out of every 100 young Australians will experience a psychotic episode, but we know that with the right care, most will make a good recovery from the experience.

“Intervening early allows young people to get the specialist clinical care they need and to stay in or resume education or employment, and better manage their illness – instead of leading to a lifetime of isolation.”

Together with the States and Territories, the Gillard Government will establish these new services in areas with a high incidence of youth mental health problems and where there is sound infrastructure and the capability to provide these services.

Each service, when fully established, will be able to provide up to 700 young people experiencing early or first episodes of psychosis with access to intensive support annually.

This expansion will be based on the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) model developed by former Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry.

The Gillard Government recognises the States and Territories are delivering a range of early psychosis services and other services for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
“That is why our investment aims to complement existing youth mental health services and we will work with States and Territories to deliver a service that best meets the needs of local communities,” Mr Butler said.

The Expressions of Interest process closes in early January. States and Territories are encouraged to submit proposals.

For more information please contact the Minister’s Office on 02 6277 7280