Yarra Community Support (YCS)
The Yarra Community Support team provides in-home and community-based outreach services to people experiencing difficulties managing daily lives and relationships due to the impact of severe mental health issues. These may include post traumatic stress, schizophrenia and bipolar conditions. Many people using YCS are from culturally diverse backgrounds, and sometimes experience mental health difficulties after arrival in Australia. Mental health issues can greatly interfere with fundamental living arrangements, especially housing, employment, recreation and relationships with family and friends.
Services are mostly offered on a one to one basis, though group programs and activities may occur where there is interest and willingness. The service is voluntary and is provided across Carlton, Parkville and the City of Yarra. People may self refer or be referred by community, medical or health services.
YCS offers services that are both practical and therapeutic. That means that while helping people deal with specific or ordinary tasks, it also helps people learn better ways of coping, to bring about changes they would like, to improve relationships and reduce stress in their lives.
The program collaborates with mental health services in the area, as many people have a number of medical, health or welfare services involved in their lives that often require coordination.
Referrals are made by phoning the Central Intake Worker.
Centre: Collingwood
Contact: Central Intake worker
(03) 9411 4333
