Overview

Youth Participation

Orygen Youth Health has initiated several programs to encourage young people to help to make our service even better.

The Platform Team

The Platform Team is a group of young people who meet regularly to talk about the service and what needs to be improved. See the Platform team page for more information.

Peer Support

Peer Support workers are past clients who visit the Orygen Youth Health inpatient unit and staff the Platform room to provide support to other clients. Becoming a peer support worker is a great way to help other people and share what you have learnt. You will receive training and support and be paid for your time. See the Peer Support page for more information.

Community Education

Part of Orygen Youth Health’s role is to educate the wider community about mental health issues. Young people participate in this by speaking at schools, talking to youth workers and doing media work. If you are interested in helping to raise awareness about mental health issues this is a great way to make a difference.

Staff Selection

Because Orygen values the opinions of clients, we have a program to get young people involved in selecting who works at the service. If you are interested in having a say about the kind of staff that work here you can participate in job interview panels. Training and payment is provided.

Get Involved

The participation program is about clients getting involved in whatever interests them. All clients at Orygen Youth Health are welcome to join in and we are always happy to hear your ideas about what should happen. To find out more just drop by the Platform Room or call the Youth Participation worker on 9342 3777. You can also talk to your case manager for more information.

Family Participation

Family members are very important to the well-being of young people, consequently they are also affected by a young person’s difficulties. In most cases, the family can contribute a lot to the care of the young person, providing support and assisting their recovery. However, families don’t have to do this alone – help is available. Family programs are designed for parents, partners, children, siblings, extended family, close friends and anyone who carries out a care-giving function for a person with a mental health problem. The clinical program offers: Individual sessions with a Case Manager or Family Support Worker to discuss issues of concern

• Regular information sessions to help families and friends understand mental illness. These sessions cover topics like the signs and symptoms of mental and emotional problems; what you might expect during recovery and how you can help; medication; the future and how to maintain recovery.
• Specialist work for more difficult problems faced by families

For further details contact the Case Manager.