Collaborative approaches to Youth AOD and mental health

support in Hume LGAHume Youth and Parents Drug Services (HYP-d)

headspace Craigieburn

Presentation overview• Today’s case presentation will demonstrate how collaborative

approaches between youth-focussed AOD & mental health services can contribute to the achievement of positive outcomes for young people and the community• Hume LGA: high prevalence of familial conflict, criminal justice system

involvement, homelessness, mental health issues and reliance on AOD• Recognised need for a flexible service, with a multi-agency approach,

providing early intervention and counselling support

• HYP-d- Federally funded to work across Hume LGA- Primarily 1:1 counselling with 12-25 y/o- Family support- Work with schools and the community

• headspace– Comm. Gov. initiative in 2006 - National Youth Mental Health Foundation – Young people aged 12 – 25 years old – Early Intervention model (mild – moderate concerns) – Help for any issue (MH, AOD, Voc/Ed, General Health)– Free or low cost services– A welcoming environment that is youth friendly– A range of professionals such as:

Doctors PsychologistsCounsellors Social workersOccupational therapists Alcohol and drug workers

About ‘Sarah’• 16yrs. • Referred by school nurse- decline in school functioning, low mood.• Family hx of MH issues, 2 sibs depn, same age cousin suicided. • Biological Mo hx of AOD use. Sarah adopted by Bio GrandP’s at 2mths. • Older sib sig. physical health issues, & depn.• Prescribed Sertraline by Psychiatrist for MDE• Regular appts in 2015 with psychologist• Referral to ReGen HYP-d mid 2016 for info. re AOD impact on foetus (NAS)

HYP-d intervention• Referred for support re: maternal heroin use during pregnancy• Education & information re: neonatal abstinence syndrome• Education & information re: addiction, Stages of Change etc• YP presenting with emotional distress• Identified as at risk of AOD-related harm in future• Red flags: parental drug use; chronic illness; past suicide attempts; Hx

of self harm; mental health state.

Collaboration- what worked• Good communication between community-based services• Development and implementation of safety plan• Consistent approach• HYP-d outreach to school• Advocacy with school

Challenges• Lack of case management• Appointment overload led to poor attendance outside of school-

based appointments

Benefits of collaboration – for services• Clear safety planning that was able to be consistently reinforced by all

workers involved in Sarah’s care• Flexibility of service provision• Increased professional support/secondary consultation/collaboration• All involved services able to access most recent information• Strengthened relationships between services• Highlights gaps in service provision, potentially provides opportunities

to expand service provision

Benefits of collaboration – For YP• Flexibility of service provision – outreach @ school• Working at YP’s pace• Clear & consistent safety planning • Information sharing – reduced need for YP to retell story• Scaffolded service provision based on need – concurrent &/or

sequential

Questions?