Joint Media Release: Morrison Government Provides Mental health and Jobs Boost for Young Australians in Frankston

The Morrison Government will help young people with mental illness living in Frankston to enter the workforce with a package of increased support

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher MP and Federal Member for Dunkley Chris Crewther MP today announced funding of $585,000 for a new Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Trial site for young people in Frankston to be delivered by headspace Frankston.

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,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The onset of most mental illness occurs in adolescence and early adulthood. It is estimated around 75 per cent of mental disorders have developed by the age of 25,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This age of onset can affect a person’s transition from study to work, with many failing to complete Year 12 or gain employment. It is for this reason early intervention and support is so important.”

Federal Member for Dunkley, Chris Crewther 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.

“As many as one-in-four young Australians aged 16 to 24 experience mental illness in any given year and, sadly, Frankston is not immune,” Mr Crewther said.

Frankston is one of 10 IPS 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 in Frankston will receive a range of support such as job coaching, assistance navigating community support services and Centrelink systems, targeted education or employment opportunities, and on-the-job support,” Mr Crewther said.

“They will also receive application assistance and interview techniques that will make a huge difference in the success of their future employment opportunities.”

“Only the Coalition can guarantee essential services, such as this support for our younger Australians, through our plans for a strong budget and a strong economy,” Mr Fletcher said

Since the Trial launched on 1 November 2016, the results have been very promising. 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.