Returning to school, training or employment are common goals for young people attending Psychosocial Recovery Services at Orygen Specialist Program.
The research program at Orygen has been undertaking a research project exploring how additional support offered to young people who have experienced a mental illness can improve their employment opportunities (getting and keeping employment). This involves young people working with a specialist mental health vocational recovery worker.
As well as this option, young people can work with staff in the Psychosocial Recovery Program to work on their job interview skills, update their resume, explore their skills and identify training that they might want to pursue. The Group Program may be offered as a first step in vocational recovery by providing structure and routine and opportunities to participate in meaningful activities with others. Qualified teachers from the Travancore School are available on site to support young people to stay at, or return to, school. They provide individual and small group classroom sessions at Parkville and can assist with VCAL or other courses. In addition, vocational group programs such as catering and horticulture are offered through the Group Program and are co-facilitated by clinicians and teachers. For those ready to return to work we have access to employment consultants from outside agencies and a consultant who is employed at OYHCP. Assistance can be given to young people to help them find work or training, write resumes and prepare for interviews.
The Psychosocial Recovery Program works in close partnership with job agencies to support young people to return to work that they are interested in and enjoy.