Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton visited headspace Dubbo to announce the extension of funding for the Individual Placement and Support Program. He is pictured with headspace Dubbo Vocational Specialist Todd Marr, Individual Placement and Support Program Senior Vocational Specialist Carole Bayley and Marathon Health CEO Megan Callinan.

The dedicated headspace program assisting young people with mental illness to join the workforce will be extended in Dubbo to help more locals secure employment.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the Dubbo headspace site would continue to run the successful Individual Placement and Support Program to address barriers preventing people with mental illness from finding and keeping a job.

“The Coalition Government will re-invest in this program to boost local mental health and employment services in Dubbo,” Mr Coulton said.

“By integrating educational and workforce support with clinical mental health services, we are helping our young people secure employment opportunities.

“Mental illness should not be a barrier to pursuing a fulfilling career and the Individual Placement and Support Program will continue to ensure young people have access to the tailored support they need to thrive in any workplace.”

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the onset of mental illness in young people can significantly affect their ability to transition from study to work.

“This investment will provide ongoing local career assistance hand-in-hand with clinical support to help young people with mental illness enter the workforce and reach their full potential,” Minister Ruston said.

Senior Vocational Specialist at headspace Dubbo, Carole Bayley, said the Individual Placement and Support Program provides a range of individualised support to young people aged between 12 and 25, including job coaching, resume preparation, assistance using community support services and Centrelink systems, communication skills and interview techniques, and on-the-job support.

“Through the support of the IPS program, participants have been able to receive mental health and financial support, as well as transport and assistance with completing study requirements,” Ms Bayley said.

“The difference a job makes to an individual’s sense of self-worth and confidence is amazing to see, and often the change in the individual has a flow on effect to the whole family.

“It’s great that this program will continue.”

The Federal Government will invest $1,069,323.24 in the Dubbo headspace IPS Program to continue delivering the local initiative until 2024.

The Dubbo headspace is one of 24 existing locations being extended, in addition to 26 new sites across Australia delivering the program.

Nationally, the ongoing and expanded Individual Placement and Support Program will allow more than 6,000 Australians under the age of 25 experiencing mental illness to access a range of specialist vocational and employment support services.