The federal government will help more young people with mental illness living in Cairns to enter the workforce with a package of increased support.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch today announced the Royal Flying Doctor Service would receive $585,000 in funding to assist them with the implementation of the highly-successful Individual Placement and Support Trial.
He said the Royal Flying Doctor Service would administer the trial funds and service delivery would be conducted through Headspace Cairns.
“As many as one-in-four young Australians aged 16 to 24 experience mental illness in any given year and, sadly, Cairns is not immune,” Mr Entsch said.
“The onset of most mental illness occurs in adolescence and early adulthood.
“It is estimated around 75 per cent of mental illness have developed by the age of 25.
“This age of onset can affect a person’s transition from study to work, with many failing to complete Year 12 or get a job.
“It is for this reason early intervention and support is so important.”
Mr Entsch said he is pleased Cairns is one of 10 new trial sites around Australia to ensure that more young people with mental illness can access this important service.
“It is great that young people will receive a range of support such as job coaching, assistance navigating community support services and Centrelink systems, targeted education and employment opportunities, and on-the-job support,” he said.
“They will also receive application assistance and interview techniques that will make a huge difference in the success of their future employment opportunities.”
Families and Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher said around 560,000 Australian children and adolescents are estimated to have a mental illness – and this can really impact on their ability to get a job
He said the trial targets vulnerable young people with mental illness up to the age of 25, who are at risk of disengaging from education or employment, and are at risk of long-term welfare dependency.
“Since the Trial launched on 1 November 2016, the results have been very promising,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Of the 879 participants who were in the trial to April 2018, 438 have achieved an education or employment placement during the trial.”
The trial will run until June 2021.
