Opening a new service and partnering a clinical team with an NGO does not come without its challenges. It takes time to navigate how we work together to combine clinical mental health expertise, lived experience and person centered, recovery focused practice. It also involves developing an in-depth understanding of our consumers and how to effectively respond to their needs.

The Queensland Youth Step Up Step Down (YSUSD) services are a partnership between Queensland Health and Mental health NGO Mind. YSUSD are purpose built 6 bed sub-acute mental health inpatient services that provide recovery focused support to 16-21 year olds who are either stepping down following an acute hospital admission or who are in community and requiring extra support.

Through our journey some of the key learnings and innovations have included;

We champion the voice of the young people in their own care. YSUSD is a voluntary service which means all of the young people are choosing to stay, throughout their admission they are encouraged to actively identify and participate in their recovery goals.

In response to high rates of emerging borderline personality disorder in young people accessing mental health services including YSUSD, we have adapted dialectical behavioral therapy approaches for short term residential stays.

The importance of working with families in a meaningful way to increase their own mental health knowledge. From this learning we have developed a family engagement program whereby a carer DBT skills session is facilitated alongside psychoeducation and detailed safety and discharge planning.

The team work throughout a young person’s admission to ensure they are linked with holistic supports. We also understand that progress can occur across a number of admissions, allowing consumers to reconnect with the program if needed. Although consumers have a short term stay at YSUSD, we take a long term view.

Opening a new service and partnering a clinical team with an NGO does not come without its challenges. It takes time to navigate how we work together to combine clinical mental health expertise, lived experience and person centered, recovery focused practice. It also involves developing an in-depth understanding of our consumers and how to effectively respond to their needs.

The Queensland Youth Step Up Step Down (YSUSD) services are a partnership between Queensland Health and Mental health NGO Mind. YSUSD are purpose built 6 bed sub-acute mental health inpatient services that provide recovery focused support to 16-21 year olds who are either stepping down following an acute hospital admission or who are in community and requiring extra support.

Through our journey some of the key learnings and innovations have included;

We champion the voice of the young people in their own care. YSUSD is a voluntary service which means all of the young people are choosing to stay, throughout their admission they are encouraged to actively identify and participate in their recovery goals.

In response to high rates of emerging borderline personality disorder in young people accessing mental health services including YSUSD, we have adapted dialectical behavioral therapy approaches for short term residential stays.

The importance of working with families in a meaningful way to increase their own mental health knowledge. From this learning we have developed a family engagement program whereby a carer DBT skills session is facilitated alongside psychoeducation and detailed safety and discharge planning.

The team work throughout a young person’s admission to ensure they are linked with holistic supports. We also understand that progress can occur across a number of admissions, allowing consumers to reconnect with the program if needed. Although consumers have a short term stay at YSUSD, we take a long term view.