Operated by Austin Health, the Heidelberg Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre will support young people aged 16 to 25 experiencing mental health challenges or psychological distress.
This includes mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, which are the leading cause of disability in young people.
The centre has 10 bedrooms with ensuites.
It also features:
- a communal kitchen
- dining and living areas
- spaces for group activities and tailored one-to-one support
- outdoor areas, providing plenty of room for leisure, recreational activities, and visits from loved ones
- a welcoming, safe and therapeutic environment that promotes rest and recovery
- car parking.
The spaces were mindfully constructed as part of a co-design process. Clinicians, carers and young people with lived and living experience of mental health challenges shared their insights and experiences to help influence the design of the centre.
Construction was overseen by builder SJ Higgins.
About the YPARC centre expansion and upgrade program
The Heidelberg YPARC centre is part of the Victorian Government’s youth prevention and recovery care centre expansion and upgrade program
The YPARC centre expansion and upgrade program is a $141 million investment to deliver five new and refurbish three centres across the state.
The program is a response to key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
Learn more about the youth prevention and recovery care centre expansion and upgrade program.
What is a YPARC centre?
A YPARC centre provides support to young people experiencing mental health challenges and/or psychological distress. This includes depression and anxiety which are the leading cause of disability in young people.
Young people aged 16 to 25 can access YPARC centres.
At the YPARC centre young people receive around the clock treatment and care. The centres are voluntary, referral-based services.
Young people can continue to attend work or school while receiving the appropriate treatment, care and support they need in a safe, home-like environment. Based on their needs, a young person can stay at a YPARC centre for up to 28 days. The average stay is 19 days.
How do YPARC centres help young people?
YPARC centres are live-in facilities. They provide care and support to young people experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
YPARC services help young people experiencing mental health challenges by providing short term, live-in treatment.
The supportive and calm environment gives them the chance to focus on their recovery and wellbeing.
At the centre, young people receive tailored one-to-one support based on their needs and goals. They can also take part in group activities with other young people.
YPARC centres do not provide withdrawal or rehabilitation services.
Young people who use the facilities would otherwise be living in their own homes in the local community. Or accessing hospital-based supports or acute inpatient care.
How can young people access a YPARC service?
YPARC services are voluntary, referral-based services.
To access YPARC services, a young person will need a referral from a local mental health and wellbeing service.
This could be:
- a general practitioner (GP)
- a specialist medical practitioner
- Headspace
- an infant, child or youth mental health and wellbeing service.
Jobs for Victorians
Across all sites, the YPARC centre expansion and upgrade program has created and sustained more than 490 construction industry jobs.
Find out more about the YPARC expansion and upgrade program.
