Georgie’s House: New mental health support service to help northern beaches’ youth
Named after the first Barrenjoey Lighthouse keeper, ‘Georgie’s House’ is a new support service to shine a guiding beacon through the complex mental health system for northern beaches’ youth.
Manly
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A pilot scheme to help young people on the northern beaches navigate complex mental health treatment and support systems has been launched.
The creators of the not-for-profit Georgie’s House describe it as a being a “community triage point” and a “one-stop shop for mental wellness”.
“It will keep young people safe, happy, healthy and educate them about resilience and dealing with life’s challenges,” says its CEO Jack Jones after it was officially launched at Avalon Beach on Saturday.
But, Mr Jones, points out, that if young people are still struggling with issues such as drug or alcohol addiction, for example, “then we will help facilitate the appropriate support for them at the appropriate point in time and in ways that suit them.
“Essentially we will sit beside people and advocate for them … and remove the complication of a very complex mental health system for a young person and their family.
“We will navigate the system for them, with their guidance … and call in the appropriate experts.”
Named in honour of George Mulhall, the first keeper of the Barrenjoey Light House at Palm Beach, “Georgie’s” not only wants to shine a guiding beacon though mental healths systems, but promote “empowering young minds and fostering social connection”.
Mr Jones said, who has a background in health system management and has set up youth mental health organisations in the past, said every young person deserves access to mental health services and help.
When it opens its door in either Mona Vale or Warriewood in the next three to six months, it will be a welcome service for an area that has struggled with youth suicide and mental health issues in recent years.
Federal member for Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps, a general practitioner, recently said there was still a youth suicide crisis on the northern beaches.
The problem over the past decade was so serious that a Northern Beaches Suicide Response Steering Group, which includes Lifeline, Northern Beaches Police, Northern Beaches Hospital and Northern Sydney Local Health District was formed in April 2019.
Many locals are still suffering after a spate of youth suicides rocked the northern beaches in 2020. The area from Manly to Palm Beach lost 44 people, of all ages, to suicide that year.
Mr Jones said existing mental health services on the northern beaches sometimes struggle to keep up with demand.
“But if we can reduce 50 per cent of the presentations to those services … then hopefully, we can reduce that duplication and that community system blockage.”
Georgie’s was still in the process of gathering funding and sponsors and establishing partnerships with the appropriate organisations and government agencies.
“We are looking for community members with experience and insight, as well as anyone who may want to contribute either time or resources to help us, help young people on the northern Beaches,” Mr Jones said.
For more information on the organisation and how to support it click here.
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