Take Two, Berry Street’s trauma service for children, young people and their families, is one of the Berry Street programs that led to us being invited to be part of the consortium selected to run the new Mental Health Statewide Trauma Service. The service was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and is a huge step forward for all Victorians living with mental health impacts from trauma.
Led by Phoenix Australia, the National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health, with a Lived Experience Co-Chair, we will be joining other key trauma-informed mental health organisations, trauma experts, peer workers, consumers and carers.
Some of the other agencies involved include SANE, Foundation House - the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, The Bouverie Centre, Mindful, Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA), Orygen and the Australian Psychological Society.
This service will bring together the very best Victoria has to offer in trauma-informed mental health care and expertise as we deliver a new compassionate, inclusive and responsive Mental Health and Wellbeing system.
Take Two’s inclusion in the consortium is a result of nearly 20 years’ experience and expertise in trauma-focussed mental health work with the most vulnerable children and young people in Victoria.
The new Mental Health Statewide Trauma Service will embed trauma-informed practice in the new mental health and wellbeing system. Traumatic events and experiences can lead to a wide range of mental health difficulties, so the new service will deliver better outcomes for Victorians living with trauma.
The Department of Health will fund and work with the appointed consortium to conduct trauma research, support the mental health and wellbeing workforce to provide trauma-informed care, create digital peer-led support platforms, and coordinate and facilitate access to trauma experts.
About Take Two
Berry Street’s Take Two program is a therapeutic service helping address the developmental trauma and mental health impacts on children after abuse, neglect and family violence.
Take Two can provide specialist clinical consultancy services, including training to other organisations.