North West Metropolitan Youth Prevention and Recovery Care

35 Poplar Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia

The Victorian Government is investing $11.9 million in the new North West Metropolitan Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre.

The 20-bed facility will provide short and medium-term treatment and support in a residential setting for young people experiencing mental illness in Melbourne’s West.

The new facility is one of 25 Prevention and Recovery Care centres across Melbourne and regional Victoria, providing community-based treatment for young people aged 16 - 25 who are unwell or recovering from mental illness.

The program is part of the Victorian Government’s $325.7 million investment in mental health services outlined in the 10-year Mental Health Plan.

Located in Parkville’s mental health precinct alongside the Orygen Youth Mental Health facility, the new centre is due to be completed by the end of 2021.

Overview of the North West Metropolitan Youth Prevention and Recovery Care centre

Scope

The North West Metropolitan Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre will deliver:

20 private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms
shared spaces including kitchen, dining, lounge, laundry and family/activity areas
outdoor garden areas for recreational activities and family visits
clinical consulting areas
staff and support areas.

Benefits

The North West Metropolitan Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre aims to deliver the following benefits:

Recovery-focused treatment

Youth Prevention and Recovery Care centres are designed to provide treatment and support in a residential setting with a focus on recovery. The centre will help young people who are unwell, or who are in the early stages of recovery from an acute illness. They’ll receive early intervention support and clinical treatment with a focus on getting better.

Increased access to services

The centre aims to increase the number of residential beds for young people in Melbourne’s inner north and west. The new centre is expected to care for up to 200 young people aged 16 - 25 each year.

Reducing hospital admissions and length of stay

Prevention and Recovery Care centres operate via a ‘step-up/step-down’ model. They provide early intervention for people who are unwell (step up), and a community-based treatment option for people in the early stages of recovery (step down). The new North West Metropolitan Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre will provide additional care and support following hospital admission and before returning home.

Residential support options delivered locally

The centre will offer a safe and supportive environment for young people who may find it difficult to cope at home. The service will help young people suffering mental illness who could benefit from treatment and support in a short to medium-term residential stay. The centre will help fill the service gap between community and hospital-based care.

Therapeutic design

Good design can play an important role in health care. This facility was designed to create a welcoming and therapeutic environment while keeping young people safe. Modern amenities including ensuites, kitchen and lounge areas aim to help residents feel at home while receiving professional care.

Multiple services in the one precinct

The YPARC centre will be located in the Parkville precinct alongside the Orygen Youth Mental Health facility, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, and near Melbourne Health, ensuring young people can access a range of mental health treatment and support services.