The Australian Government has announced a $17.2 million investment to help young people with mental health challenges.

The $17.2 million investment will extend two vital programs supporting young people with mental ill health. This funding will ensure the continuation of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program and the Digital Work and Study Service (DWSS) for a further two years, until June 2027.

These programs play a crucial role in helping young people with mental health challenges achieve their educational and vocational goals. IPS provides one-on-one support to individuals aged 12-25 at 50 headspace centres across Australia, while DWSS offers a digital platform for 15-25-year-olds to access training and work preparation resources.

“We recognise that many people with mental ill health benefit from work or study,” said Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth. “That’s why we are so committed to the IPS and DWSS programs. These programs provide integrated, targeted support, aiming to break down barriers and help people with mental ill health find meaningful work.”

The funding extension will also see the addition of Vocational Specialists to up to 16 headspace centres, further enhancing support for young people to engage in education, employment, and training. This will enable close to 6,000 young people per year to access these vital services.

Professor Patrick McGorry AO, Executive Director of Orygen, which developed the IPS program, emphasised the importance of this investment. “Two out of five young people are now in need of professional help,” Professor McGorry stated. “We need to redouble our efforts to ensure young people can resume a pathway to a secure and fulfilling life. The Albanese Government’s decision to maintain and expand these vocational recovery programs is a crucial element in Australia’s response to the crisis.”

The IPS program has a proven track record, having assisted over 3,000 young people in the last financial year. DWSS, with its unique online support model, has supported over 2,800 young people in their journey towards work and study success.

This investment underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to partnering with community and not-for-profit organisations to provide crucial support for those most in need. Further information on mental health support, including access to IPS and DWSS, is available on the Department of Social Services website.

Also read: Human rights ignored: Protecting Australian youth mental health in a changing climate