From the SPET TEAM...

SPET is headspace’s Service Provider Education and Training program, which is jointly managed by the AGPN and the APS.  The role of the SPET Team is to train headspace staff on how to effectively deal with young people, which is vital to the success of headspace services across Australia.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing our staff’s skills in engagement and assessment, and the use of evidence based interventions appropriate for young people with mental health and substance use issues.

The program is developing and promoting the delivery of training to a broad range of service providers who work with young people. These include:

• General Practitioners
• Psychologists
• Occupational therapists
• Mental health services
• Drug and alcohol services 
• Youth workers 
• Social workers 
• School counsellors 
• Teachers 
• Police and Emergency service workers 
• Staff in the juvenile justice sectors
• Hospital Emergency Departments

The education and training resources produced by headspace are being developed in consultation with young people and relevant organisations and professional groups.

The development of education and training resources will complement, rather than duplicate, existing resources in the field.   Some of the new packages to be launched over the next six months include:

• Youth Mental Health Access: YHA     
• Practical and Emotional Support for Carers
• Community Based management of Challenging Behaviours, Aggression, Self-harm and Suicidality          
• High Risk for Psychosis in Young People     
• Interventions for Co-morbid Presentations
• Brief Interventions for Young People with Emerging Difficulties in Mental Health & Substance Use