An increase in Queensland youth presenting to mental health services is prompting a local doctor to streamline the region’s pathway to gaining support.
Dr Rachel Taylor is devising a plan to merge adolescent mental and adult health services to create a much smoother process for patients and families experiencing a health crisis.
The clinical psychiatrist says there has been a 469 per cent increase of 12- to 25-year-olds presenting to public hospitals across Queensland, which includes hospitals on the Sunshine Coast.
“I am aware of models of care where mental health and adult health services are co-located in the hospital,” Dr Taylor says.
“This model also incorporates education, employment and drug and alcohol agencies, and it’s really giving people a one-stop shop.
“It would be great if patients won’t need to go all over the Coast to have their needs met.”
To address this, Dr Taylor is working with hospital charity Wishlist to fund a nurse position as part of the Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) program.
This nurse will work to establish the best course of action to bridge the gap between adolescent health cases who are entering the adult health system.
As part of 92.7 MIX FM’s Give Me 5 appeal this June, funds will be directed to fund the nurse, as well as funding innovative mental health programs, which will operate out of Wishlist Centre opening later this year.
“Everything we have here are the ingredients for success,” Dr Taylor says. “We have the reach, we have the voice, we have a great bunch of clinicians and management open to this, and we’re so lucky to have Wishlist endorsing the project.”
Help support this program by purchasing tickets to one of many 92.7 MIX FM Give Me 5 events happening across June at mixfm.com.au/give-me-5 or donate directly at wishlist.org.au.
Upcoming events
June 17 – QuizaMee Aussie Bogan Trivia at Maroochydore SLSC
June 23 – Art Auction at Maroochydore Homemaker Centre
June 24 – Golf Day at Twin Waters Golf Club
June 24 – QuizaMee Music Trivia at Maroochydore SLSC
July 1 – Caloundra Cup Ladies Lunch at Sunshine Coast Turf Club
July 1 – Travis Schultz Long Lunch at The Boat Shed Cotton Tree
July 1 – Aussie World Ride the Night
July 9 – Give Me 5 Hoe-Down at Sunshine Coast Turf Club
July 14 – Jane Ferrari Food and Wine Lunch at Augellos
July 15 – Jane Ferrari Ladies Lunch at Augello’s
August 12 – Southern Cross Sheds Diamond Lunch at Flaxton Gardens
August 26 – Gentleman’s Gathering at Augello’s
