TWELVE young people in Orange who have experienced homelessness before they turned 18 have been interviewed as part of an Australia-wide survey being conducted by university academics.
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One of the authors of The Cost of Youth Homelessness in Australia study, Professor Adam Steen of Charles Sturt University, said of the 12 young people interviewed who had experienced homelessness, half identified as having a mental health issue.
“We surveyed 400 young people Australia-wide and when our final report is collated later this year it will have major implications for policy makers and service providers,” Professor Steen said.
He said agencies are working hard in Orange to help vulnerable young people, but some are still falling through the gaps.
“Mission Australia, Anglicare and The Salvation Army do a fantastic job and work very hard,” he said.
Professor Steen says it is a concern many young people are sleeping rough by either couch surfing, or relying on friends after they have left a home environment, usually due to conflict and with drugs and alcohol sometimes involved.
He said in the extensive surveying of young people, many identified family situations where police had been involved because of family violence.
Western NSW Local Health District director of mental health, drug and alcohol Adrian Fahy said while there are some young people who have connected with the local health district service, young people are not a major facet of the people currently being treated.
“But they [young people] do have the added complexity of not having stable housing,” he said.
“We are working with a range of government and non-government stakeholders to improve the range of services provided to people with mental health drug and alcohol issues,” Mr Fahy said.
Orange has a youth homeless refuge Emerge which is being managed by the Bathurst-based Veritas organisation.
Spokesperson Jodie Pearce said young people from 12 - 18 years of age can be assessed for emergency accommodation, with outreach services also provided to set up mediation in the cases where young people find themselves with nowhere to live.
“Our initial crisis role is to stabilise young people and our staff work closely in supporting them,” Ms Pearce said.
She said any young person up to the age of 25 who cannot return to their home environment is supported into independent living.
If you are a young person in crisis and in need of emergency accommodation call Emerge on 6361 8088. If you are experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol and need help call the WLHD helpline on 1300 887 000.