CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’ Family Mental Health Support Service helps young people aged between 0-18 who are at risk of or showing early signs of mental illness. Individual services include support to young people and their families and mental health well-being programs. The program also participates widely in community events to raise awareness of early intervention and to help the community have a better understanding of and response to mental health issues affecting young people. In 2019 the program received 484 new registrations.

Early intervention support improves mental health and wellbeing. It can help children better manage aspects of their lives and helps carers support their children.

Funded by the Department of Social Services, young people and their families were provided support to assist in building positive relationships at school, home and within the community. The program improves participant’s resilience, coping strategies and self-esteem – which enables them to better engage in meaningful activities, sports and interest groups in addition to improved school attendance.

A research project – Transition from Primary School to Secondary School was developed and implemented in partnership with Charles Sturt University. A pilot transition program was developed and is being implemented throughout 2018-2020. It will specifically target the mental health and wellbeing of students, build resilience, and identify those at risk or showing early signs of mental illness. The project is being implemented in Broken Hill and Condobolin.