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Orygen welcomes the federal government’s investment into Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programs and vocational specialists that will help thousands of young Australians find education and employment as part of their recovery from mental ill-health.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth announced a $17.2m work and training package, which included the extension of IPS vocational peer work pilot programs at six headspace centres for two years to 30 June 2027, and new IPS vocational specialists in up to 16 headspace centres.
Gina Chinnery, Orygen’s Director of Employment and Education Partnerships, said this kind of evidence-based education and employment support program was critical for young people.
“We know that education, training and work opportunities play a key role in helping young people recover from mental ill-health, and IPS has a proven track-record of effectively delivering that support,” she said.
“The current IPS workforce is doing an amazing job, and we’re looking forward to supporting more vocational specialists to continue this vital work and make a difference for even more young people.
“As the home of Australia’s Centre of Excellence for Youth IPS, we’re proud to work side-by-side with world-leading researchers, service providers, vocational specialists and young people to support the delivery of this life-changing program.”
Executive Director of Orygen, Professor Patrick McGorry, said Australia was facing an “unprecedented youth mental health crisis” and welcomed the extra support.
“Two out of five young people are now in need of professional help. We need to redouble our efforts to stem this tide and to ensure young people can resume a pathway to a secure and fulfilling life,” he said.
“Mental ill-health is by far the biggest threat to young people completing their education and finding and sustaining employment. IPS, which was pioneered and researched for young people at Orygen and then translated into frontline care across the nation, is a highly cost-effective strategy to overcome this threat and prevents young people ending up on the economic scrap heap.”