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Child and Youth Mental Health Services | Southern | Te Whatu Ora

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    Formerly Southern DHB Child and Youth Mental Health Services

    Southern DHB Child and Youth Mental Health Services are delivered by three teams: Child, Adolescent and Family Service (CAFS), Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Service (CAFMHS) and Youth Specialty Service (YSS).

    Child, Adolescent and Family Service (CAFS) operates out of Southland Hospital in Invercargill, 6 Irwell Street, Gore and 19 Douglas Street, Frankton and provide assessment and treatment primarily to children and young people aged up to 18 years. 

    Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Service (CAFMHS) operates out of 9 Moray Place, Dunedin, 24 Clyde Street, Balclutha, Hospital Street, Clyde and 2 Trent Street, Oamaru and provides assessment and treatment for children and young people aged up to 14 years.

    Youth Specialty Service (YSS) operates out of 8 Moray Place, Dunedin and provides assessment and treatment for young people aged between 14 to 18 years.

    Programme

    Alcohol and Other Drug Services

    A Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Counsellor works out of the Youth Specialist Service team and offers an outpatient clinic for young people aged 14 - 18 years and their families providing assessment, education and individually designed treatment packages. This service is available for individuals in the Dunedin area but the counsellor will provide advice to rural teams when needed.

    Location:

    9 Moray Place, Dunedin

    Specialist Mental Health Community Services

    This service provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for children, young people and their families who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems, suspected psychiatric disorders, or severe emotional and behavioural disturbance.

    Co-Existing Problems - Mental Health and Addictions

    This community-based recovery-focused service provides comprehensive assessment, treatment, therapy and support for young people who are experiencing problems relating to both their mental health and addictions (alcohol or other drugs).

    Eating Disorders

    This service provide a treatment programme tailored to the young person’s needs and may include: - individual psychotherapy, educational and skills groups, group therapy, family therapy, medical management, medication and nutrition management with a dietitian.

    Youth Forensic Service

    The Youth Forensic Service provides access to mental health services for any youth in contact with the juvenile justice system who are in need of mental health screening, including AOD and cultural assessment, treatment and Section 333 reports. This service has a working knowledge of clinical interventions, cultural, risk and legislative issues to best assist the youth, their family and agencies involved.

    This is a mobile service that works across the Southern DHB with respective bases located at:

    8 Moray Place, Dunedin

    Southland Hospital, Invercargill

    Ward 9C Acute Inpatient Unit - Youth Beds

    Ward 9C has two South Island regional youth inpatient beds within a dedicated youth area. Adult patients are encouraged to avoid this area unless they are accessing their own rooms.

    If not attending school or another external programme, youth in Ward 9C are expected to attend the ward programme.

    Location:

    Wakari Hospital, 371 Taieri Road, Dunedin

    Charges

    There are no fees for services to public patients if you are lawfully in New Zealand and meet one of the eligibility criteria set by the Ministry of Health. If you do not meet the criteria, you will be required to pay for the full cost of any medical treatment you recieve during your stay.

    To check whether you meet the specified eligibility criteria, visit the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz/eligibility