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Smale said she was inspired throughout the design process by her late friend Willow Gersekowski.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen offered this experience, I really wanted to do it not just for myself but for my friend Willow,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would have helped them? What would be their vision? What would they want for young people, because this is the kind of facility they really would have benefited from.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were always in the back of my mind, and I was hugely inspired by their values.\u201d<\/p>\n
The co-design team drew on their diverse experiences and backgrounds to shape the centre\u2019s design, layout and services.<\/p>\n
They advocated for features including an outdoor area, sensory room and family spaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t want it to feel like a hospital,\u201d Smale said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted more homey vibes while meeting important safety requirements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea behind YPARC is to take a step up in care to avoid having to go to hospital, or a step down from when you\u2019ve been in hospital and you\u2019re transitioning into community, so we wanted the space to feel comfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s designed to target youth to get in there early and before they deteriorate to the point of needing to go to hospital, because that is something that is important to avoid.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About 75 per cent of mental ill-health issues emerge before the age of 25, and Smale said lived experience was essential in creating a welcoming, non-clinical environment.<\/p>\n As a teenager, Smale accessed Barwon Health\u2019s Jigsaw Youth Mental Health Drug and Alcohol service before becoming a patient at Geelong\u2019s adult PARC, which supports people of all ages.<\/p>\n The adult PARC is located alongside Barwon Health\u2019s Community Rehabilitation Facility and Smale said the mix of ages and services could be confronting for younger patients.<\/p>\n Having found it difficult to engage with programs as a young person in an adult setting, Smale said the new youth-focused space will make a significant difference.<\/p>\n \u201cThe adult PARC is great, but it wasn\u2019t purpose-built,\u201d Smale said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt helped me in many ways, but I did find it difficult when I was younger being in the adult PARC with much older clientele.<\/p>\n \u201cI think [the youth prevention and recovery centre] will be a much better facility for young people.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For Smale, Johnson and Withers, seeing their ideas become reality was a proud moment.<\/p>\n The project was Smale\u2019s first opportunity to use her experience to create meaningful change. It is something she hopes to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cWalking around the building we went \u2018I remember advocating for that\u2019 or \u2018I remember pushing for that\u2019 or \u2018This is just what it looked like in the pictures when we chose the fabric,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a really proud moment to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Young people receiving care at the centre can continue attending school and work while remaining connected to the community.<\/p>\n Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver said the centre is an important milestone for youth mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cThis centre will provide compassionate, recovery-focused care in a therapeutic environment, helping young people access the right support at the right time, closer to home,\u201d Diver said.<\/p>\n Structured day programs are expected to begin in the coming weeks, with residential services opening before the end of 2026.<\/p>\n The Geelong YPARC was funded through the state government\u2019s $141 million youth prevention and recovery care expansion and upgrade program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Three Geelong locals have used their firsthand experience of the mental health system to shape the region\u2019s newest youth mental health service into the place they wished existed when they needed it. Molly Smale, Patrick Johnson and Rebecca Withers spent four years on the lived experience co-design team behind Barwon Health\u2019s Geelong Youth Prevention and […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/IMG_5070-1024x683.jpg\")
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