n 2015 the Mental Health Commission (MHC) released the 'WA Mental Health & AOD Services Plan 2015-2025' outlining many different challenges and gaps within the current system. After the 2021 state election, the WA Government announced commitments to develop three services that will help address some of the challenges highlighted in this plan, specifically for young people aged 16 to 24 experiencing mental health and/or alcohol & other drug (AOD) challenges.

The MHC has asked the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) to work with young people to design these three services, and we are hosting three workshops and have developed a survey to make sure your voices are heard. If you are a young person aged 16-24 with lived experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges and services, this workshop is for you! (Guardian consent is required for those under 18).

This workshop will be focused on discussing the development of a 'Step Up, Step Down' youth mental health service YACWA is informing. This service will be comprised of 10 beds located in the Perth metro region, made to help prevent young people from being unwell enough to go to hospital (Step Up), and then providing support for when they need help returning to everyday life (Step Down). We would like your opinion on how we can make this service the best it can be for young people and their recovery journeys.

By attending, you are helping make a positive difference in the way our state provides mental health support to young people like yourself. You will also be paid for your work!

Catering will be provided, with dietary requirements requested upon ticket purchase. If you are a youth or social worker who would like to attend to support a young client attending, please register for an additional ticket.