Department of Health

More mental health and alcohol and other drug supports for young people

28/01/26

Victoria is making a significant investment to enhance targeted mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) supports for young people. This investment aims to intervene early and keep young people connected to their communities and away from the justice system.

Expansion of the Community Forensic Youth Mental Health Service

An investment of $21 million over five years, and $5.7 million ongoing, will expand the Community Forensic Youth Mental Health Service (Community FYMHS). The program is dedicated to supporting young people with complex mental health and forensic needs.

The program has been running since 2019 and is operated by Bayside Health (previously Alfred Health - in South-East Victoria) and Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (in North-West Victoria). The expansion will allow the program to provide critical specialist supports to more young people, earlier.

Youth outreach clinician

An investment of $282,000 over two years will fund the co-location of a culturally appropriate youth outreach clinician. It will be delivered by NAS Recovery in partnership with the West Metro Community Support Group. This initiative will deliver integrated mental health and AOD care, tailored for multicultural and multifaith youth.

Youth mental health collaborative

$300,000 over two years will establish a youth mental health collaborative in the Western and North-Western suburbs of Melbourne. It will bring together Victorian mental health and wellbeing services, local headspaces, and any other relevant support services or local partners. The collaborative will examine and address access barriers to mental health and AOD care for young people, particularly those at risk of offending.

Together, these investments strengthen Victoria’s commitment to early intervention, culturally responsive care and coordinated support for young people with complex needs.

Reviewed 28 January 2026

Health.vic

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