New service to ask at-risk youth what's up?

HERE TO HELP: Some of the SUPP team - (from left) alcohol and drug counsellors Helen Hagan and Kristen Hurdle, registered nurse Jo Barritt and AOD counsellor Andrea Edwards.PHOTO/ SUPPLIED 290315WCSUP01.JPG

A service aimed at helping young people talk about mental health and addiction will be launched in Wanganui this Thursday.

SUPP has been established to help health professionals meet with young people to discuss such concerns.

Members of the community are invited to Majestic Square between 3pm and 6pm on April 2 for the launch that will include free food, live bands and spot prizes. It will be held in the War Memorial Hall if it is raining.

"SUPP is a nod to the commonly used expression 'what's up', which over time we hope young people will also identify with 'sort your problems', or even 'support your peers'," Whanganui District Health Board alcohol and other drugs youth counsellor Andrea Edwards said.

"It's important to note that it was members of our youth forum who came up with the suggestion for the name and we seized upon it."

Ministry of Health has funded the set up of the service that is designed to reach young people aged 12-19 at risk of developing mental health or alcohol and other drug concerns.

"We hope to engage with a high number of the 75 per cent of young rangatahi reluctant to seek help for substance abuse and addiction," Mrs Edwards said. "We believe having our SUPP team work with young people and/or their families in youth friendly settings throughout the district will help us put early interventions in place to minimise harm."

As well as consultation and education to health care providers, SUPP has a youth advisory group that meets with the SUPP team once a week to discuss the ongoing direction of the service.

The SUPP service operates 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and can be contacted on 06 348 1901 or 027 222 2231. To contact the after hour's Mental Health Assessment and Home Treatment Team call 0800 653 358.