New Youth Package Breath of Fresh Air

New Youth Package Breath of Fresh Air

The new Youth Mental Health package announced yesterday has potential to make a big difference if approached in partnership with community agencies say Youthline.

“We applaud the focus on youth mental health, earlier intervention, utilising technology and providing parents and whanau with good information and hope the initiative will increase capacity and competency in existing services,” says Youthline CEO Stephen Bell.

As well as the 24 hour youth helpline, Youthline has provided text message counselling since 2004, works with young people via Facebook and Twitter, has online information packs for young people and parents of teenagers and provides family support services through face-to-face, phone and online.

Mental health, depression, suicide and a sense of disconnection are some of the key reasons young people reach out, with Youthline receiving over 500,000 contacts every year.

“The reality is there are a large number of community organisations connected with our most vulnerable youth that are often the first to spot potential mental health issues or provide early intervention.

We know young people are reluctant health and social service users, so the key to good outcomes is to ensure good access for young people; that they have the ability to link to community based services, with staff who are well supported and trained, who can easily link them to statutory services when needed,” says Bell.

ENDS.

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