The Andrews Labor Government is more than doubling the capacity of Victoria’s Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) network, giving more young Victorians access to the mental health care and support they need.

Acting Minister for Mental Health Colin Brooks today announced the sites for new YPARC centres in Heidelberg, Traralgon, Shepparton, Ballarat and Geelong.

The $141 million Labor Government investment will support more than 900 extra young Victorians a year, with the new centres to be located at:

• The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital (operated by Austin Health)
• Hyde Park Road, Traralgon (operated by Latrobe Regional Hospital)
• Corner of Numurkah and Balaclava Road, Shepparton (operated by Goulburn Valley Health)
• Little Fyans Street, South Geelong (operated by Barwon Health)
• Durham Street, Newington (operated by Grampians Health).

A recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the new YPARC centres will provide flexible, around-the-clock clinical care for young people aged 16-25 experiencing mental ill health.

Building more facilities that provide early intervention care and recovery-focused treatment will reduce pressure on Victoria’s hospitals.

The new centres will each have 10 private bedrooms complete with ensuite bathrooms, communal kitchens, dining and living areas, breakout spaces and outdoor gardens for rest and recovery, as well as family visits.

Designs for the new facilities will draw on the insights and experiences of clinicians, carers and young people with lived experience of mental ill-health by inviting them to actively participate in workshops.

Existing YPARC centres in Bendigo, Dandenong and Frankston are also being refurbished and modernised, with the process to find a contractor underway.

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Mental Health Colin Brooks

“These new YPARC centres will ensure more young Victorians can access mental healthcare and support when they need it, easing pressure on our hospitals.”

“We know how much better health outcomes are when people get treatment close to their families, support networks and local community – which is why we’re delivering youth mental health facilities right across Victoria.”