Youth and Family Services

Youth Services at Monash Health

Monash Health provides high-quality community-based health services to vulnerable and marginalised young people (15-25 years) and their families, where they live, work and/or study. Multidisciplinary programs embrace patient-centred practices and evidenced-based service. Group therapy programs are provided to assist young people wanting to improve their wellbeing. 

‘Youth Health Hub’ Program

The Youth and Family Team supports young people (15-25 years or equivalent developmental age) at our Thursday Youth Hubs by providing individual assessments, support services and group programs.  

The Youth Hub includes Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, Music Therapy, Social Work, Speech Pathology (Communication skills), Youth Work, health assessments and group programs to improve young people’s health literacy. 

Vulnerable and disadvantaged young people presenting with complex health and social issues are the target cohort. Eligibility is any young person living, working, studying or accessing services in City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Cardinia Shire (and surrounds).  

Care Coordination

Our Care Coordination team comprises a youth worker, social worker and a nurse who provide specialised outreach for young people in the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey and Cardinia Shire. We assist young people (15-25 years) to become engaged in their health choices and wellbeing.  

Linkages can be made to appropriate health and community services.  

Speech Pathology – Communication Skills

Coordinated by a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist, this program targets social and communication skills, including speaking, listening and literacy. These skills contribute to the social and emotional functioning and wellbeing of clients, as well as enabling them to gain self-advocacy skills. Therapy focuses on opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk young people to express themselves, whilst learning and practising interpersonal conversational skills in a friendly environment. 

Dietician 

Nutrition and Dietetics helps young people understand their bodies and the fuel they need and make the right choices for a university-qualifiedhealthy body and mind. We can help young people manage their food intake in regards to medication.  We also offer group programs and dietetic support to organisations working with young people.  

Our service does not cater for clients with an eating disorder as we do not have psychiatric support within our team. 

Exercise Physiology

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEP) are university qualified Allied Health Professionals who specialise in the delivery of exercise, lifestyle and behavioural modification programs for the prevention and management of injuries and conditions.  

AEPs have experience and expertise in the assessment, design, and delivery of exercise and behaviour change interventions. This includes working with those living with, or at risk of chronic conditions, including mental illness by using exercise therapy to improve mood and motivation. 

Exercise Physiology service offers individual and group sessions, and incorporates a holistic approach in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team to support social and emotional support for clients.

Community Health Nurse

Community nurses provide age-related nursing screening, services, assessments, health education and information and referrals (internal and external). 

The focus of clinics is on sexual and reproductive and breast health information. Pap/HPV tests for unscreened or under-screened, pregnancy testing and options, and contraception options counselling are offered. All services are inclusive of psycho-social support, mental health screenings/ assessment, general health and assistance with access to the health system.

Better Futures

The Better Futures Program provides intensive support to young people who are, or have been in residential out-of-home care, between 15 and 21 years of age. The program provides case management support to young people transitioning from out-of-home care, by working with education and welfare community supports to offer opportunities for young people.  

Better Futures case managers work with young people to help identify their educational and/or employment goals and can assist in addressing any barriers that may impact achieving their ultimate goals.  

The program is subject to strict eligibility criteria and referrals are through Mission Australia which can be contacted via email SMRSpringboard@missionaustralia.com.au. 

Music Therapy

Music Therapy involves the planned, intentional and creative use of music within a therapeutic relationship to support health, functioning and wellbeing. Music Therapy incorporates a range of active and receptive methods including music listening, song sharing, lyric analysis, music-assisted counselling, song writing, recording, music-based relaxation, instrument playing, improvisation and singing. The Music Therapy service offers individual, consultation and education sessions. A holistic approach is provided in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team to support the social, emotional, psychological, communication, cognitive, and physical needs of individuals accessing the program. 

Youth Counselling

Confidential counselling for young people (15-25 years) on a range of presenting issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, family conflict, peer, relationship, behaviour and anger management issues. If appropriate, parents are provided with parental education, support and referral options for on-going counselling for themselves.

Community Health Nurses in Multi-Disciplinary Centres (MDC’s)

Community Health Nurses in MDC’s for Sexual Assault provide patient-centred services to clients who experienced sexual assault and their non-offending family members. Nurses work closely with the MDC stakeholders, including Police, Child Protection and Counsellors. They conduct holistic health assessments, provide health education and information, and can support clients to access referral points, such as GPs and health services. Providing a patient-centred service means nurses work with the client to identify their healthcare priorities.  

Currently there are 6 MDCs in Victoria. Monash Health Community nurses are located in Dandenong and Seaford. 

Girls on the Go Program

Established by the Youth and Family team in response to an increase in young women presenting to the service with negative body image, low self-esteem and disordered eating patterns. The program adopts a ‘holistic’ approach with particular care being taken to shift the focus of the group away from issues of ‘weight’ and ‘dieting’ to general health, well-being, self-esteem and happiness. It has been running for over ten years and its benefits have been evidenced via extensive research.  

May incur a service fee.

Referral Information

T: 0434 601 300
E: youthtriage@monashhealth.org

Click here for the Youth Referral Form 

Click here for Health Professional and GP referral information

Cost

Nil. (For all programs excluding Girls on the Go).

Contact Us

General enquiries 

M: 0434 601 300
E: youthtriage@monashhealth.org

Locations/Sites/Settings

Setting of Service

Dandenong
122 Thomas Street
Dandenong

Hours of Operation

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (excluding public holidays)
8.30am – 5.00pm

Thursdays (excluding public holidays)
4.00pm – 7.00pm

Contact information

Help contacting us

For people who need help with English or an interpreter: : TIS: 131 450

For people with hearing or speech loss: TTY: 1800 555 677

Speak and Listen: 1800 555 727

Internet relay: National Relay Service: www.relayservice.gov.au