Child and Youth Mental Health Service

Patient information

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The Infant, Child and Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (ICYAMHWS) is a coordinated mental health service for children, young people and their families.

What we do

We provide comprehensive and caring mental health services and support for infants and children aged 11 years and under, as well as their families and support networks.

Our team includes mental health clinicians (occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, speech pathologists) and psychiatrists. Your family may also be able to access support from Youth Peer Support Workers who have their own experience of mental health challenges or Family Peer Specialists who have their own experience of mental health challenges or have cared for someone who does.

Infant and children

We provide comprehensive and caring mental health services and support for infants and children aged 11 years and under, as well as their families and support networks.

Common concerns for infants may include:

  • Persistent feeding difficulties or poor weight gain
  • Persistent crying, restlessness or difficulty being comforted
  • Sleep problems that do not settle over time
  • Unusual quietness or lack of interest in parents and surroundings
  • Long and frequent temper tantrums
  • Persistent clinginess
  • Restricted play

Common concerns for children may include:

  • Persistent defiance
  • Impulsivity or overactivity
  • Reluctance or refusal to attend school
  • Being bullied
  • Problems with sleeping or eating

We see the family and support networks as integral to the recovery journey. Some families require a single session to get back on track, while others need longer case management and treatment. We will work with you to understand your child’s and your family’s needs.

Young people

We provide comprehensive mental health services and support for young people aged 12 to 25 years, as well as their families and support networks. We provide intensive support foryoung people experiencing challenges with their mental or physical health,  including eating disorders, as well as young people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviour, or who are at risk of self-harm.

Common concerns for young people include:

  • Feeling excessively anxious, worried, unhappy or shy
  • Changes in thinking, personality or behaviour that impact family, relationships, school or work
  • Difficulty controlling emotions and impulses
  • Distress from a traumatic incident or experience of abuse (either recent or in the past)
  • Trouble concentrating, thinking clearly or remembering things
  • Loss of enjoyment or motivation
  • Unusual experiences such as hearing voices, seeing strange things or things seeming different
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
  • Family or friends have expressed concern about personality or behavioural changes
  • Physical complaints that could be caused by emotional stress

Visit our Youth Mental Health webpages to learn more.

Who we care for

We provide services for infants, children, young people and their families living in the following Local Government Areas:

  • Port Phillip, Stonnington and Glen Eira (north of North Road): Ages 0 to 25
  • Glen Eira (south of North Road), Bayside and Kingston (west of Boundary Road)*: Ages 0 to 18

* Monash Health provides services for over 18s in these Local Government Areas

How to access this service

Referral to this service

All referrals to the Infant, Child and Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Service are made using the online referral form, or by calling the Access Team. Referrals can be made by family or friends, as well as healthcare providers or other community services.

Our clinics

Clinic name Campus Location
Infant and Child Team
For children, up to and inclusive of 11 years of age		 In the community 1001 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin
EDP - contact and referral information
For people up to 24 years of age		 In the community 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin
Family-focused therapy
For children and young people up to and inclusive of 25 years of age and their families		 In the community 1001 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin
Early Intervention Mobile Outreach Service
For young people, up to and inclusive of 25 years of age		 In the community 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin
Neurodiversity and complex mental health
For people aged 0 to 25 years		 In the community 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin

Resources

All patient resources
Beyond Blue
A guide to mental health problems and support available
Children and Parents with Mental Illness
Resources and information to children, parents, family and friends and health professionals on how to respond to the needs of parents with mental illness
headspace
Assisting young people and families to find the right help for problems affecting wellbeing
Infant Child Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service Registration
315 KB
Kids Helpline
Mental health information and phone counselling
Online help at eheadspace
eheadspace provides a confidential online and telephone support service seven days a week
Rainbow Network
LGBTIQA+ information and resources
Raising Children Network
Provides free, reliable, up-to-date information to help your family grow and thrive together
Reach Out
A website for getting young people through tough times
Sane Australia
An organisation helping all Australians affected by mental illness
Tandem
Representing family and friends supporting people living with mental health issues, Tandem provides information, advocacy, research and community awareness about caring for people experiencing mental ill-health.
The Orange Door
Providing referral and information support to families including family violence support. P: 1800 319 353
Young Carers Network
The Young Carers Network (YCN) is a nationally coordinated online resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
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