Who can the Family Mental Health Support Service in Frankston assist?
Better Place Australia Family Mental Health Support Service in Frankston (FMHSS) supports parents, caregivers, children and young people.
If children or young people are showing signs of, or are at risk of, developing difficulties with their mental health, this is where the service steps in to make a difference in their life early on. It also supports their families and caregivers to provide early intervention with the goal of improving mental health outcomes.
This service is located in Frankston at Suite 7, 435 Nepean Highway between Wells Street and Ross Smith Avenue and is accessible if you live in the Frankston & Mornington Peninsula local government areas.
Better Place Australia Frankston office is an easy walk from Frankston train station, or the bus interchange.
What does the Family Mental Health Support Service in Frankston do?
When we speak about our Family Mental Health Support Service in Frankston, a major part of that is providing early intervention individual support for children, young people and their families when there are early signs of difficulties with their mental health.
In particular, this service:
- supports the development of healthy coping strategies, communication skills and resilience
- aims to increase the awareness with children, young people, and their families
- aims to prevent ongoing mental health concerns
- facilitates service coordination and access to other services for the individual.
Children, young people, parents and caregivers can also participate in group programs. This is a safe space for the development of healthier coping strategies and behaviours, alongside emotional awareness and effective communication skills. A significant part of the service is individual case management directly to the young person.
Along with family mental health support, Better Place Australia practitioners will also support young people and their families to access other specialist services, including referrals for family violence, drug and alcohol issues, or specialist teams for crisis or sexual assault services.
Who is eligible to access the service?
Due to government funding requirements, to access this free service you must be:
- a child or young person showing signs of, or are at risk of, developing difficulties with mental health
- a family member or caregiver of a child or young person actively engaged with the FMHSS team
- be located in Frankston or in the Mornington Peninsula local government areas.
Please note: the service is a whole of family approach and is not able to work with a child or young person without the involvement of their families or carers.
A formal diagnosis of mental illness is not required to access family mental health support.
Who can refer?
You can self-refer, or be referred by an external agency or school within the Frankston & Mornington Peninsula local government areas.
How much does it cost?
If you meet eligibility criteria, the Family Mental Health Support Service in Frankston is free.
Availability
This service is available across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region.
