Young people aged 13 to 17 (or up to 18 if they’re in school) will be able to access the Youth Trauma Service. Photo: Everymind/Salty Dingo.
Young Canberrans will be able to access free trauma therapy from March next year.
Uniting will deliver the Youth Trauma Service which has received more than $4 million across two years from the ACT and Federal governments.
Uniting communications director Dr Andrew Montague said this was one more step towards helping every young person to “live their best life possible”.
“Young people affected by trauma benefit most from the wraparound collaborative care that the new hub will be able to provide,” he said.
“Uniting … [is well equipped to] offer the right combination of clinical expertise and broader support across alcohol and drug use, family counselling, vocational training and education, life skills and crisis management.
“It’s always best to help young people where they live, so in addition to the new hub, we’ll reach out into the community to provide care where it’s needed most.”
The trauma-informed care will be available to young people aged 13 to 17 years, or up to 18 years of age if they’re in school.
Mental Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the new service would fill a critical gap in the ACT’s treatment offerings.
“We know that experiences of trauma particularly at a young age can have a profound impact on a young person’s mental health and wellbeing and can have a lasting impact throughout the course of life,” she said.
“This new service will deliver flexible, evidence-informed therapy and navigation support for young people with complex needs and help them access the right care for them at the right time.
“This is about building a more connected and compassionate mental health system. By investing in early intervention and trauma-informed care, we can help prevent long-term impacts and support young people to thrive.”
Uniting will collaborate with other service providers with the aim to give young people more access to holistic support.
The service is part of the Youth at Risk of Developing Mental Ill Health project, delivered under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Bilateral Agreement.
Its aim is to improve the ACT mental health sector’s response to young people presenting with complex needs and trauma, including if they have or are at risk of developing moderate mental ill-health.
ACT Senator Katy Gallagher said the new Youth Trauma Service was about giving young Canberrans the support they needed early.
“By partnering with the ACT Government, we are investing in practical, trauma-informed care that helps teenagers recover, stay connected to school and family and get on with their lives,” she said.
“Early intervention changes lives. Backing this service means fewer crises, better long-term health and stronger outcomes for young people and their families.”
The Lyneham-based service is expected to open to referrals for young people in March 2026.
