Leah knew her daughter Melanie needed ‘more than just a classroom’ after falling behind at school due to mental ill-health.
During her hunt for an alternative education option, the Logan mum discovered Metro South Health’s Logan Adolescent Day Program (LADP); a service taking a fresh approach to schooling and mental health treatment.
Acting executive director of Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services Linda Hipper said the LADP, delivered in partnership with the Department of Education, provided Logan youth with access to an integrated and personalised education and mental health treatment service.
She said since its opening late last year, the innovative service had delivered life-changing experiences to participants like Melanie, who were no longer thriving in mainstream schooling.
Leah said her daughter was one of the first students to successfully transition out of the program, an experience which had left the family feeling rejuvenated.
“The program allowed Melanie to continue with her education, while receiving the mental health treatment and care important to her recovery,” she said.
“It was comforting to know there was an equal focus on education and Melanie’s mental health.”
Leah commended the service for allowing participants to continue to live at home while enrolled in the program and said the community setting was not only more accessible, but more appealing to those like Melanie who had previously had difficulty in a hospital setting.
“Importantly, the day program ran like a normal school day for Melanie. She would go to ‘school’, spend the day completing special classes (mental health sessions) and come home,” Leah said.
“Melanie loved going there! I think the fact that the classes were diverse and interesting, and delivered by nonjudgemental, non-conservative staff really helped.
“The music and art classes had a profound way of calming Melanie on her worst days.”
Ms Hipper said the purpose-built space was designed to be engaging for young people with staff who worked closely with both consumers and carers on the design of the LADP rooms to create a less clinical, welcoming environment with a non-threatening atmosphere.
“There’s a music room and recording studio, art room and courtyard, as well as a full kitchen and laundry to help with life
skills,” she said.
LADP team leader Tracey Hassan said the program was the first of its kind in Logan and followed the success of the Robina facility which opened in 2021.
“Students in the program attend (ideally) five days a week and receive integrated treatment, recovery focussed rehabilitation and educational/vocational programs, all while being able to remain living at home and engaged in their local community,” Ms Hassan said.
