Jesuit Social Services has a decades-long history of working with people to improve their mental health and wellbeing so they can then build healthy social connections and be more engaged in their community.
We offer a range of mental health and wellbeing programs, and take pride in our individualised and person-centred approach.
Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that demand for high quality, supportive mental health services like ours remains high. The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that in 2020-2022, 21.5% of people in Australia had a mental health condition. Anxiety was the most common.1 This was much higher for young people: the study found that 38.8% of people aged 16-24 had a mental health condition. These findings highlight the critical need for mental health support services, particularly for children and young people.
The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing also found that rates of mental health conditions were much higher among certain groups. They included LGBTQIA+ people and people who had experienced homelessness. This showed the importance of mental health services that are holistic, and that consider the multiple and complex needs of participants who need support. Jesuit Social Services provides this kind of tailored and targeted support through a variety of our programs.
The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System highlighted a need for reform of mental health services. It also emphasised the need for a mental health and wellbeing system that supports and recognises the family members, carers and supporters of people living with mental health conditions.2 Our programs, particularly the Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect space in Melbourne’s west, are designed to provide this support. Other programs of this kind that we offer include Support After Suicide, Connexions and Artful Dodgers Studios.
Our mental health and wellbeing programs are distinctive because they are built on the foundation of respectful relationships, patience, trust and persistence.
