The Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS-SWS) provides youth friendly, strengths-focused support to young people 12 to 25 years old with, or at risk of developing, a serious mental illness that can significantly impacting their day-to-day work, education, social and/or personal life.
Service:
YESS-SWS provides young people and their families with holistic support which is tailored to their individual needs. This might include psychological therapies and social supports, peer work, employment services, psychiatry or family work.
YESS-SWS is designed to provide flexible, medium-term care (typically up to 12 months) at no cost. The program focuses on young people who would benefit from a multidisciplinary or team-based approach with the goal of preventing the individual from having to access a higher level of care (for example, tertiary care) and reducing long-term mental ill-health.
YESS-SWS can:
- Provide a choice of face-to-face, online and outreach sessions
- Explore options for mental health treatments together
- Engage the young person’s family and carers
- Work collaboratively with the young person’s GP, school, and wider support team
- Connect the young person with one of its peer workers (someone who has experienced similar challenges)
- Explore options for finding or keeping a job for the young person
- Offer culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) services, including services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
YESS-SWS works closely with headspace centres in Liverpool, Bankstown and Campbelltown, ReFrame in Wollondilly and Wingecarribee and South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) mental health services.
Eligibility
YESS-SWS is for people who meet the following criteria:
- Aged 12 to 25 years
- Reside, study, or work in the local government areas of: Bankstown–Canterbury; Liverpool; Fairfield; Campbelltown; Camden; Wollondilly; Wingecarribee
- Experience or at risk of experiencing severe and enduring or complex mental health needs and who may not be able to carry out certain functions in their daily lives because of their illness
- Consent and able to engage in the YESS-SWS program
- Medically stable and have a sufficient BMI for psychological work
- Have an associated complexity of presentation which cannot be managed in a typical primary care setting. For example, a GP, private psychologist, school/university counsellor, headspace Centre, ReFrame
- Young people will be prioritised if they are relatively new to mental health services and have not already had significant treatment at a greater intensity than YESS-SWS
How to access YESS-SWS
YESS-SWS accepts referrals from young people (self-referral), their family or friend (with the young person’s agreement), GPs, school counsellors and service providers. All referrals are discussed at an intake meeting. If a referral is not suitable for YESS-SWS, the service can assist in finding the right service.
How to Refer (For GPs and other Health Professionals)
Anyone can refer by downloading and completing the referral form and emailing to [email protected]. The referrer will be contacted within three days from when the referral is received to discuss the next steps.
For more information and referral enquiries, phone YESS-SWS on: 8820 0737 or email [email protected]
How to access YESS-SWS
YESS-SWS accepts referrals from young people (self-referral), their family or friend (with the young person’s agreement), GPs, school counsellors and service providers. All referrals are discussed at an intake meeting. If a referral is not suitable for YESS-SWS, the service can assist in finding the right service.
GPs and other health professionals referring to YESS
Anyone can refer by downloading and completing the referral form and emailing to [email protected]. The referrer will be contacted within three days from when the referral is received to discuss the next steps.
For more information and referral enquiries, phone YESS-SWS on: 8820 0737 or email [email protected]
YESS-SWS is commissioned by South Western Sydney PHN and delivered by Uniting. Phone 1800 864 846, email: [email protected]
