Headspace Dubbo is making a difference with its Individual Placement and Support Trials

Headspace Dubbo will now be funded for a further two years to June 30, 2021, to deliver its trial in the Dubbo area - bringing the total amount of funding to $1.3 million over five years.

Launched in November 2016, the IPS model of employment assistance targets vulnerable young people with mental illness, aged up to 25.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the program helps more young people with mental illness living in Dubbo to enter the workforce.

“Three-quarters of all mental illness strikes people under the age of 25 and as many as one-in-four young Australians aged 16 to 24 experience mental illness in any given year and, sadly, Dubbo is not immune,” Mr Coulton said.

“Headspace Dubbo does a terrific job and, through IPS, has made a real difference to the lives of 100 young locals.”

Headspace community and youth engagement coordinator Amy Mines said the IPS is vital for young people in Dubbo.

“It is a valuable service to offer because often people accessing our clinicians they might have an issue with re-engaging at school or an inability to find work or uncertainty about further education options, so to be able to refer them to the IPS program allows us to get them the help they need efficiently,” she said.

“This funding will directly enable the IPS workers here at headspace to offer more opportunities to young people in Dubbo.”

Marathon Health executive Bryan Hoolahan said the funding would add extra vocational support which results in better outcomes.

“People get intensive support with the IPS program, it changes lives in terms of self-confidence and job readiness,” he said.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher said the program helps those at risk of long-term welfare dependence because they have disengaged from education and employment.