Recruitment is now underway for key clinical roles that will support the roll out of a new Tasmanian youth forensic mental health program next year.
The state-wide "Divert and Connect" program – which is underpinned by a newly developed model of care – will provide specialist treatment, care and support for young people with complex mental health challenges who are under community-based supervision, in detention, or not yet sentenced.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, welcomed the progress and said the program is an important part of the Tasmanian Government's plan to deliver a contemporary mental health system that meets the needs of young Tasmanians.
"The Tasmanian Government is committed to providing compassionate evidence-based forensic mental health responses for young people engaged with or at risk of youth justice pathways," Minister Archer said.
"Under the Divert and Connect model of care, services will facilitate the assessment and redirection of young people to the most suitable service based on their individual mental health and wellbeing needs, whether that involves mental health or healthcare services, or community-based social supports.
"Importantly, the model of care promotes engagement in education, employment, or other relevant areas to divert young people who may be at various stages of engagement with the youth justice system.
"Services delivered through the program will range from intensive outreach intervention in collaboration with other community and custodial-based service providers, to in-reach services into detention and a court liaison service.
"Our Government is delivering for Tasmania, with an additional clinical psychologist commencing in the South earlier this month, and recruitment is underway for further clinical roles to support the service rollout next year.
"I look forward to seeing the program established and begin to make a positive impact in supporting young Tasmanians."
