A new support service for young people diagnosed with mental illnesses, that is unique to Port Stephens and that offers a light at the end of the tunnel for sufferers is being rolled out this month.
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After nearly four years of planning, preparation and donations, Caring for our Port Stephens Youth (COPSY) will kick off its mental health program with a launch at Shoal Bay Country Club on March 20.
COPSY vice-president Geoffrey Basser paid tribute to president John de Ridderer and the entire COPSY committee, who had worked diligently and voluntarily to put together a counselling service that had a proven track record and was Port-centric.
And while the initial program will be operated out of Salamander Community Centre, plans were already afoot to expand the service to include venues in both Medowie and Raymond Terrace.
"Our rooms at the centre are private, easily accessible by young people and most importantly the service is free, regardless of the amount of counselling a person requires," Mr Basser said.
"Of course this could never have been achieved without the support of many people and organisations in Port Stephens, most notable Newcastle Permanent, federal, state and local governments, and a range of Port businesses."
COPSY was born out of an identified gap in mental health services for the young people in Port Stephens in 2016, with the aim of providing a professional mental health counselling service for the youth.
"The problems associated with youth mental illnesses have been widely reported but we decided to commission Newcastle University to research into the issue which confirmed just what we feared … that the Port Stephens youth needs were not being met," Mr Basser said.
"We needed a service outside the precincts of schools and doctor's surgeries, a space for the youth to talk."
COPSY media officer Jewel Drury said that the grant funds were used to set up the systems and establish the infrastructure required in the training rooms in order to coordinate a series of intervention, prevention and awareness workshops.
"We have four clinic psychologists and a part-time office manager. The service will be open Monday to Friday from 3-6pm and appointments are necessary. Of course people can contact the service outside of these hours, we will not turn anyone away."
To make an appointment after March 20 go to copsy.com.au or go to the COPSY Facebook page.