New YPARC centre brings specialist youth mental health care closer to home
Grampians Health's new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) Centre has officially opened, marking a significant milestone in expanding mental health services for young people across the Grampians region.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today (Monday 20 July) officially opened the purpose-built facility in Durham Street, Newington, which is already welcoming consumers and providing treatment, care and support for young people aged 16 to 25 experiencing mental health challenges.
The multi-million-dollar centre provides a welcoming, home-like environment featuring 10 private bedrooms with ensuites, communal kitchens, dining and living areas, breakout spaces and landscaped outdoor areas designed to support recovery and connection.
Grampians Health is partnering with Wellways to deliver the service. Under the partnership, Grampians Health will provide clinical governance, while Wellways will manage the day-to-day operations, ensuring strong clinical oversight is complemented by community-focused service delivery.
Grampians Health Acting Chief Executive Officer Ben Kelly said the opening of the new YPARC centre represented a major investment in youth mental health and ensured young people across the region could access specialised care closer to home.
"This facility expands the range of mental health treatment and support options available to young people in the Grampians region, reducing the need for them to travel to Melbourne to receive this level of care," Mr Kelly said.
"The YPARC centre has been thoughtfully designed with input from young people, carers, the lived experience workforce and clinicians, creating an environment that is welcoming, safe and focused on recovery.
"We're delighted to see consumers already benefiting from the service and the positive impact it is having on young people and their families."
Wellways CEO Laura Collister said Wellways was proud to partner with Grampians Health on YPARC, bringing together clinical, psychosocial and lived experience expertise to support every young person's recovery.
“Drawing on more than 20 years' delivering Prevention and Recovery Care services, we know that when young people, alongside their families, carers and supporters, receive the right integrated support early, they build hope, strengthen connection and have every opportunity to create the future they want,” Ms Collister said.
Chief Redevelopment and Infrastructure Officer Veronica Furnier said the completion of the YPARC centre highlighted Grampians Health's commitment to delivering modern infrastructure that meets the changing healthcare needs of the community.
"This outstanding new facility provides a contemporary therapeutic environment where young people can access high-quality mental health care in a setting specifically designed to support their wellbeing and recovery," Ms Furnier said.
Director Lived and Living Experience Camille Jeffrey said the YPARC service offered an important alternative to hospital-based care.
"YPARC is a voluntary, referral-based service that enables young people to continue engaging in work, education and their community while receiving the treatment, care and support they need," Ms Jeffrey.
"The service provides both early intervention for young people who require additional support to avoid hospital admission, and a community-based recovery option for those transitioning from more intensive care.
"Having this service available locally is making a real difference by providing specialist mental health support closer to home, when young people need it most."
Located adjacent to the existing Grampians Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) centre in Newington, the new YPARC Centre strengthens the region's mental health service network and provides an important new option for young people and their families.
Grampians Health’s YPARC is part of the Victorian Government’s $141 million youth prevention and recovery care expansion and upgrade program, which is delivering new and refurbished YPARC centres across Victoria.
