Time Out Houses offer safety and support

When young people are not properly treated and supported as soon as they have signs of mental illness, it can affect their entire life.

Mental illness can hinder a young person's ability to study, make friends and move in to adult roles such as working, forming relationships including marriage, and establishing healthy living habits.

That’s why projects such as Time Out Houses — being trialled in Cairns in Far North Queensland and Logan, south of Brisbane — are so important.

Time Out Houses give people aged 18 to 25 somewhere to go that is safe, friendly and welcoming when they first experience mental illness. This short-term accommodation complements the clinical mental health system.

Cairns Time Out House team leader Toni Hines says the project empowers young people to live comfortably in the community and build their resilience.

Toni works for Aftercare, which has partnered with other local service providers to offer coordinated support. Other consortium members are Youthlink, Centacare and Far North Queensland Rural Division of General Practice.

The project extends from Cairns to surrounding areas including Innisfail, Tablelands and Port Douglas.

Toni says in the first 12 months of the trial the Cairns Time Out House has helped 52 local young people.

“The safe house takes a maximum of four young people at any time, with round-the-clock support workers.

“And when clients move out of the house, this support continues for three months as the emphasis switches to maintaining and strengthening their connections in the local community.

“With mental illness, it’s absolutely vital to provide support in the early stages to significantly reduce the likelihood of far-reaching negative effects.”

This initiative also supports people aged 15 to 25, who do not live in the short-term accommodation, to successfully live in their own community.

For more information about the Cairns Time Out House phone 4047 5700 or visit www.aftercare.com.au and click on youth.

For information about the Logan Time Out House phone 3826 1500.

Nearly one in two people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life and nearly one in five people aged 16 to 85 will experience a form of mental illness in any one year.

Find out more about mental health and wellbeing and help available at www.qld.gov.au/disability.

Mental illness and young people

A mental illness is a diagnosable illness that affects a person’s thinking, emotional state and behaviour. It disrupts their ability to study, carry out daily activities and develop friendships.

There are many types of mental illness. Latest statistics on young Australians’ health and wellbeing shows anxiety disorders, substance abuse (particularly alcohol) and affective disorders are the most common.

The Queensland Government provides information about mental illnesses and their symptoms. For details visit
www.healthier.qld.gov.au or for multilingual information, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/pahospital/qtmhc/multilingual.asp.

Getting help

Discuss your concerns with your general practitioner or phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24 hour advice and contact details for your local hospital or community health centre.