Authors: The Second Story, Child and Youth Health
Year: 2002
Event: 2002 TheMHS Awards
Subject:
Type of resource: TheMHS Awards
Award state: SA
Award level: Gold
Award category: Rehabilitation / Recovery Program
Abstract: AMIGOS (Addressing Mental Health and Giving Others Support) is an innovative and collaborative venture that has harnessed the energies of young people as consumers working in partnership with youth health and mental health services to ensure best outcomes for young people requiring support following the experience of mental illness. The Second Story, A Division of Child and Youth Health developed the Project in 1997, in partnership with young people (Peer Consultants) and the Southern Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Both The Second Story and CAMHS are State Government funded agencies. The Second Story provides health promoting services to young people 12-25 years, while CAMHS provides specialised mental health services to children and young people 0-18 years and their families. The Project works within a Primary Health framework with key service providers and young people. The following activities are fundamental strategies within the Project: • Community Education • Health Professional Working Parties • Hospital Visiting • Community Support Group • Peer Education Training Within the Project, Young People are supported and encouraged to achieve their individual goals and to acknowledge, understand and take control of their mental illness. Further, the Project, through Peer Education Training, provides opportunities for the Young People to develop personal skills and knowledge, which are marketable with in the employment setting. The principles of partnership and accountability are central to the success of the group and reflect the nature of the relationship between the young people and the mental health professionals involved. Without input from young people the Project would not have achieved so much success.
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