- Contractors have been appointed to build new Youth Step Up Step Down facilities in Rockhampton and Townsville.
- The new facilities are funded through the Mental Health Levy.
- The Crisafulli Government's Hospital Rescue Plan is helping heal Labor's Health Crisis and deliver health services when Queenslanders need them.
A boost to youth mental health is on the way to Rockhampton and Townsville, with contractors appointed to build two new Youth Step Up Step Down facilities.
The Youth Step Up, Step Down programs are a key Crisafulli Government election commitment and will be fully funded by the Mental Health Levy.
Paynters Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to build the new six-bed Central Queensland facility in Berserker in Rockhampton, while Barpa Pty Ltd will build North Queensland's six-bed facility at the Vincent Health Campus in Townsville.
The two new Step Up Step Down facilities will provide short-term residential mental health support 24/7 for young people aged 16 to 21 years.
The programs offer an alternative to hospital admission when additional support is needed, while supporting young people as they transition from hospital back to the community.
Design is progressing for both new purpose-built facilities, with construction expected to commence by the end of this year and be completed in late 2027.
They're just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is restoring health services when Queenslanders need them to heal Labor's Health Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government has given Queenslanders a guarantee it will spend every single cent from the Mental Health Levy on new and improved mental health infrastructure and supports, including on these new Step Up Step Down facilities.
It comes after a Queensland Audit Office report exposed funding was directed towards initiatives that did not align with the levy's intended purpose under the former Government
Premier David Crisafuli said the Government was delivering more mental health support across regional Queensland than ever before.
"This is about more support for young people when they need it most," Premier Crisafulli said.
"This is what investing every dollar of the mental health levy into new and increased services looks like."
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Hospital Rescue Plan was delivering health services when they were needed most.
"These new services will help make sure young people get the right support at the right time, improving mental health outcomes across both Central and North Queensland," Minister Nicholls.
"By providing support in a residential community setting, young people can continue their education, work and family connections while getting the help they need to improve their mental health and wellbeing."
Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said the Rockhampton facility would be a gamechanger for Central Queensland and would play an important role in supporting young people and their families across the region.
"This service will focus not only on a young person's immediate mental health needs, but also on building the skills, confidence and connections that can support their longer-term recovery," Mrs Kirkland said.
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said the North Queensland facility was a much-needed addition to other local mental health supports.
"We know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health care, so this facility adds another level of support to our local mental health services and gives our mental health teams greater flexibility to provide care in the setting that best meets a young person's needs," Mrs Poole said.
