Groups join to support ill youth

Bridget Donohue, Alex Collins and Michael Bartram launch the Quiet Riot co-ordinated care program. Photo: Max Fleet rio1404a

SLIPPING through the cracks has for a long time been one of the most damaging problems to Bundaberg's youth but a new program has been launched specifically to curb the problem.

Twelve government and local organisations, which include Queensland Health, drug and alcohol groups, job networks and refuges, have joined forces to help provide all the help they can for mentally ill young people in the region.

University of Southern Queensland student Bridget Donohue, who is on placement with Bundaberg Youth Service, helped launch the Quiet Riot program yesterday morning.

“It is not just saying to them that you can go here but walking beside that person to ensure they do get the best level of treatment they need,” Ms Donohue said.

“We are trying to reduce the risk of them not knowing there are any organisations there to help them.”

The program aims to help people between the ages of 16 and 25.

Ms Donohue said the program was designed around Bundaberg's young homeless and the launch was timed to coincide with Youth Homelessness Day.

“Anyone we work with is able to be a part of the program but most of the principles devised were modelled around the homeless,” she said.

Ms Donohue said there was still a lot of work to do.

“This is the first step everyone has taken together and we still need to find out what works best and how to improve the system,” she said.

For more information, call Bundaberg Youth Services on 4153 2227.