Young people suffering from substance abuse, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses can now receive in-patient care at Hoppers Crossing.
The Wyndham Clinic Private Hospital (WCPH) has expanded its mental health unit to include a 10-bed in-patient unit and day programs for young people aged 15 years and above.
Previously the clinic only provided in-patient mental health care to adults.
WCPH is one of only two Melbourne facilities to offer this type of treatment and has already treated patients from as far away as Alice Springs and Tasmania.
Youth program clinical director Alberto Veloso said WCPH’s approach focused on early intervention.
“Most in-patient services for young people are crisis-driven,” Dr Veloso said.
“Our mental health programs are very much focused on early intervention to prevent crisis and to give young people an opportunity to learn the essential skills they’ll need to cope with their disorder and regulate their emotions.”
Dr Veloso said the clinic worked closely with patient families and referring health professionals to develop therapy and management plans.
“Biological, psychological, social and cultural factors are also taken into account when we formulate the management plans for young people,” he said.
