Youth Prevention and Recovery Centre (YPARC)

YPARC (Youth Prevention and Recovery Centre) Shepparton is a 10‑bed sub‑acute residential mental health service that provides short‑term support for young people experiencing increasing mental health challenges. The service sits between community‑based support and hospital admission, offering a safe and supportive place for young people who need additional help but do not require an acute inpatient stay. Admissions are for up to 28 days and focus on recovery, stability and strengthening skills to support a return to the community.

YPARC is delivered through a partnership with Mind Australia. Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services (GVAMHWS) provides clinical care, including mental health assessment and treatment. Mind Australia delivers psychosocial recovery support, working alongside young people in their day‑to‑day living to support routines, wellbeing, relationships, personal goals and confidence. Together, the clinical and psychosocial teams provide coordinated, youth‑focused care in a residential setting.

The service supports young people stepping up from the community when their mental health needs have escalated and additional support is required, as well as young people stepping down from an acute inpatient unit who would benefit from a supported transition back to community life. YPARC may also support young people referred from the community where their needs can be safely met in a sub‑acute environment and align with the service’s recovery‑focused approach.

Referrals for existing GV Health consumer are via their community team. External referrals are made via GV Health Mental Health Triage using the YPARC referral form. As part of the referral process, GV Health Triage will consider the young person’s current presentation, level of distress and support needs. Where a young person is experiencing a level of risk or acuity that requires more intensive assessment or care, Triage will facilitate referral to GVAMHWS. Where needs are assessed as appropriate for sub‑acute support, referrals may be made directly to YPARC Shepparton.

All referrals are reviewed to ensure YPARC is the right setting to support the young person’s recovery, safety and transition back to community‑based supports.