Child and Youth Mental Health Service
The Darling Downs Child and Youth Mental Health Service (Darling Downs CYMHS) offers a free and confidential service specialising in the assessment and treatment of children and young people (0 to 18 years of age) who are experiencing, or at risk of developing, severe and complex emotional, behavioural or mental health problems.
Some mental health disorders and problems that we target include:
- depression and other disorders of mood regulation
- anxiety disorders
- non-accidental self-injury (self harm)
- suicidality
- early psychosis and psychotic disorders
- eating disorders
- trauma-related problems
- serious disturbances of attachment and carer-child relationships
- complex developmental and behavioural disorders
- emerging personality disturbances
The Child and Youth Mental Health Service within the Darling Downs region has four Community CYMHS teams based in the South Burnett region, Southern Downs, Toowoomba and Western Downs.
These Community CYMHS teams are multi-disciplinary, and consist of child psychiatrists and mental health professionals. They offer a range of services tailored to the needs of the young person, their families and carers, including crisis intervention, inpatient support, mental health assessment, individual therapy, family intervention, group work, interagency consultation, and referral to other agencies.
All Community CYMHS teams are open from Monday to Friday – 8.30am to 4.30pm (excl. public holidays).
More information can be found in the Child and Youth Mental Health Service Framework Book (PDF 4104 kB).
How to contact your Community CYMHS
Referrals can be made by doctors, schools, health professionals, carers and families, and young people themselves.
To make a referral or to enquire about the service, please contact a Community CYMHS team.
Referral may be made via phone or utilising the CYMHS Referral Form (PDF 1402 kB) which is to be emailed or faxed to your respective CYMHS team.
Please note, if the young person is at immediate risk of injury to themselves or others, please call your local intake on the numbers provided or emergency services on 000.
Please see below for contact information or for a CYMHS team in your area.
South Burnett region CYMHS
Based at Kingaroy.
Outreaches to other areas including Murgon, Wondai, Nanango, Yarraman, Blackbutt, Cherbourg and surrounding areas.
Phone: (07) 4162 0487
Fax: (07) 47162 0488
Email: SBMHAODS@health.qld.gov.au
Address: Kingaroy Hospital, 166 Youngman Street, Kingaroy, 4610
Southern Downs CYMHS
Based at Warwick and Goondiwindi.
Outreaches to other areas including Stanthorpe, Inglewood, Clifton, Killarney, and Allora.
Phone: (07) 4660 3901
Fax: (07) 4660 3727
Email: SD_CYMHS@health.qld.gov.au
Address: Locke Street Specialist Centre, 56 Locke Street, Warwick, 4370
Toowoomba CYMHS
Based at Toowoomba.
Outreaches to other areas including Oakey, Crows Nest, Pittsworth, Millmerran
Phone: (07) 4616 6843
Fax: (07) 4616 5399
Email: Toowoomba_CYMHS@health.qld.gov.au
Address: Unara Health Village, Toowoomba Hospital, Pechey Street, Toowoomba, 4350
Schools
To assist schools with referrals for students in the Toowoomba region please see our Toowoomba CYMHS School Referral Decision Flowchart.
Western Downs CYMHS
Based at Dalby and Chinchilla.
Outreaches to Tara, Jandowae, Miles, Taroom, Wandoan and surrounding areas
Phone: (07) 4669 0501
Fax: (07) 4669 0794
Email: WDMH@health.qld.gov.au
Address: Dalby Hospital, Hospital Road, Dalby, 4405
Other teams within the CYMHS
Other teams within the Darling Downs CYMHS include:
- Assertive Mobile Youth Outreach Service
- Evolve Therapeutic Services (referrals from the Department of Child Safety only)
- Yannanda Adolescent Inpatient Unit
- Yannanda Adolescent Day Program
These teams have a CYMHS referral pathway. If you would like more information please contact your local CYMHS.
Courses, groups and other services offered by CYMHS
Children of Parents with Mental Illness (COPMI)
COPMI is a national initiative that aims to support families living with mental illness, and improve the outcomes for children in those families. There are 2 COPMI groups that are run: Kids Club for primary-school-aged children and the Koping Adolescent Group for high-school-aged children.
These groups aim to improve young people’s resilience by building on a number of life skills, including: developing an understanding of mental illness, coping skills, self-care, time-management, and seeking help. The group gives participants the chance to connect with other young people with similar experiences.
Circle of Security
A relationship-based early intervention program to enhance attachment security between parents and children.
Parent and Carer Skills Based Training for Eating Disorders
This group delivers parent / carer skills based training for families affected by eating disorders. This group is for families who have a loved one with this illness, with learning topics including understand more about eating disorders, helpful communication skills, developing positive coping strategies and fostering a healthier relationship with your loved one.
Please note that these groups are not run at all times, or by all CYMHS teams. Please contact your local CYMHS for details regarding group options.
Indigenous Mental Health Support
The Indigenous Mental Health Worker delivers culturally sensitive and accessible services for the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander consumers of Yannanda Adolescent Unit, Day Program, CCYMHS & EVOLVE. This role provides advocacy, support and education to improve the mental health journey for Indigenous consumers and communities.
Learning Support Groups for Foster carers and Education for Professionals
In addition to providing specialist trauma-informed mental health intervention to children/young people (both individual and systemic), Evolve Therapeutic Services (ETS) also have a wider focus on as psycho-education and skill development. Specifically, ETS teams provide education and learning support groups for foster-parents and other carers, and education for professionals from key government and non government agencies on the specific and complex needs of children and young people in out-of-home care.
Please contact ETS Toowoomba for information regarding professional development and training on: 07 4616 5365.
Ed LinQ
The Ed-LinQ program works with schools and service providers to support the early detection and collaborative care of children and young people at risk of – or experiencing – mental health problems or mental illness.
The Ed-LinQ Coordinators offer support to all schools and service providers working with children and young people. The Ed-LinQ Coordinators provide schools and services early access to mental health advice and support, access to resources, and information on available supports and referral pathways. The Ed-LinQ Coordinators also provide education and training to increase the knowledge, skills and understanding of stakeholders regarding mental health problems and mental illness in children and young people, and collaborate with other organisations on projects aimed at mental health promotion, prevention and early identification for children and young people.
Darling Downs Health has two Ed-LinQ Coordinators:
- Toowoomba and Southern Downs : 0427 314 061
- South Burnett and Western Downs : 0436 818 210
Please call for further information or to access the Ed-LinQ program.