HEALTH SERVICES

The Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth (IHSHY) Program was introduced as a pilot program in 1991, in response to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's (1989) 'Our Homeless Children' (Burdekin) Report which found that homeless young people exhibit chronic health problems but are reluctant to seek treatment through mainstream services which they regard as judgemental and unsympathetic to their needs and life situations.The IHSHY Program is jointly funded between the Australian Government and the State and Territory Governments.

Program Objective:

The aim of the program is to improve the health outcomes of homeless and otherwise at-risk youth aged 12-24 years and their dependents through the provision of specialised health services and improved access to mainstream health services.

Click here for more information: Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth (IHSHY) Program

Medicare

A young person can claim through medicare for psychiatric or psychological care.  This process is not a simple one and information is available on MBS Online.  Wherever possible we would advise that you have a support person to assist you through the process.

For information regarding how to access a psychiatrist click here.

For information regarding access to psychologist click here.

Headspace is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation. The headspace mission is to deliver improvements in the mental health, social wellbeing and economic participation of young Australian’s aged 12-25. To this end, headspace aims to be the focal point for youth mental health issues across the country. This includes providing funding to improve services for young people who may be experiencing mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues and the latest information about these important health issues for young people.headspace is aiming to achieve this through the 30 funded headspace services located in each state and territory across Australia. These services provide an entry point for young people to access a broad range of services which are available in their local community. All of whom have a focus on providing a more integrated service responses.

For information on services in Queensland go to: http://www.headspace.org.au/default.aspx?page=33

ADAWS (Adolescent Drug & Alcohol Withdrawal Service)

ADAWS is a residential program for young people 13-18 years old who feel they have a problem with drug use and are seeking to detox or withdraw.Young people who choose to go to ADAWS live in the program for 11 days whilst they detox, and take part in a relapse prevention program.

For more information on ADAWS phone (07) 3163 8400 or go to:

http://www.kidsinmind.org.au/default2.asp?orgid=1&suborgid=20

Queensland Government 13 Health

Queensland Health now has a phone line 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for all Queenslanders to help take the worry out of health concerns.

You can phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the cost of a local call.Calls from mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate than local call charges. Please check with your telephone service provider.

Qualified staff will give you advice on who to talk to and how quickly you should do it.

The advice is confidential, qualified and supportive. 13 HEALTH can ease your concerns.

13 HEALTH provides qualified health advice; it is not a diagnostic service and should not replace medical consultation. In an emergency always dial 000.