Supporting Young People’s Mental Health Journey
When mental health challenges disrupt a young person’s life, it’s common that the path to recovery can feel overwhelming for the individual. Stride Mental Health’s Youth Step Up Step Down (YSUSD) service in Cairns provides that balance, offering crucial support for those aged 16-21 experiencing severe and complex mental health issues.
What Is Step Up Step Down?
Youth Step Up Step Down is a service that provides short-term residential support for those who are in need of intensive clinical treatment and psychosocial support. It’s designed to prevent further deterioration in mental health, reduce the likelihood of hospital admissions (“step up”), and support young people in their transition back into the community (“step down”).
The service provides options for young people when they need more support than community services can offer, but doesn’t require the intensity of a hospital setting. Step Up Step Down provides options for young people when they need more support than community services can offer but don’t require a hospital stay, empowering them to take control of their mental health with recovery-focused care.
Stride’s Role In Step Up Step Down Cairns
At Stride, we have partnered with the Queensland Health Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service to connect young people to this essential service.
The YSUSD facility, purpose-built in Manoora, Cairns, offers a safe and supportive environment located just 10 minutes from the CBD. This six-bed service is one of only three in Queensland, highlighting its importance in the region. If you’d like to find out more about Cairns’ Youth Step Up Step Down service, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.
Centred Around Recovery-Focused Care
The primary goals of YSUSD are to prevent hospital admissions and support community reintegration.
Individuals are admitted on a voluntary basis, and the program is not designed for alcohol or drug detoxification, respite, or long-term accommodation for homelessness.
Young people who will be accessing the service can expect a structured program with a range of support services and therapeutic interventions, including:
- Psychosocial support
- Group therapy
- Skill development
- Medication support
The program also incorporates a strong emphasis on personal recovery, with activities and support designed to foster:
- Wellbeing and goal planning
- Functional recovery, including employment/study options, time management, and cooking
- Clinical recovery, with psychoeducation and coping strategies
- Social recovery, focusing on community engagement, building resilience, and social development
A typical week includes a variety of activities, from fitness classes and outings to life skills training and sessions focused on recovery.
Information For Professionals and Families
The YSUSD program aims to provide short-term support with planned discharge to ensure a smooth transition back to the community.
For mental health professionals and families seeking support for young people, it’s important to understand the referral process. This involves an initial referral, assessment of eligibility criteria, referral review, and acceptance and intake.
Stride Mental Health’s Youth Step Up Step Down service in Cairns is making a real difference in the lives of young people, helping them live fulfilling lives. By providing the right support at the right time, Stride is helping to build a stronger, healthier communities, from fitness classes and outings to life skills training and sessions focused on recovery.
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