An update on Sonder’s emerge program
Sonder’s emerge program provides clinical care coordination, psychological therapy, psychiatry, functional recovery and peer work to young people aged 16-25 years experiencing severe and complex mental illness.
The program is delivered from locations in Adelaide’s Northern and Southern metropolitan regions at headspace Edinburgh North, headspace Marion and a location proximal to headspace Onkaparinga.
Sonder’s emerge program is the only service in the Adelaide Northern and Southern metropolitan region providing wrap around supports specifically for this “missing middle” cohort of young people. Over the past three years, the service has experienced significant demand, delivering over 50,000 occasions of service to over 1,400 young people.
Additional funding made available over the previous two years by our valued funders, Adelaide PHN, has been utilised. From 1 July 2022 the funding will be reduced to usual levels resulting in reduced capacity in some services within the program, and a discontinuation of others.
Specifically, as of 1 July there will be reduced capacity in psychological therapy, psychiatry, functional recovery and youth peer work services. Family peer work support will also no longer be available.
However, Sonder’s emerge program will continue to provide much needed services for young people and referrals continue to be accepted. If you wish to learn more about the program and/or make a referral, please visit sonder.net.au/emerge
Sonder will continue to seek opportunities to return funding to previous levels through advocacy and collaboration with Adelaide PHN. Notifications of any future changes to the program will be available on the Sonder website.
If you have any queries, please contact Jessica Johnson, Operations Lead at emerge North at jjohnson@sonder.net.au or Eloisa Steen, Clinical Lead at emerge South at esteen@sonder.net.au
What is the emerge program?
Sonder’s emerge program provides clinical care coordination, psychological therapy, peer work, functional recovery support, GP and Psychiatry services to young people aged 16-25 years experiencing severe mental illness with significant functional impairment and/or risk factors. It is delivered from headspace Edinburgh North (Emerge North), and headspace Marion and an office proximal to headspace Onkaparinga (Emerge South).
What are the changes?
Due to funding changes, from 1 July 2022 there will be reduced capacity in psychological therapy, psychiatry, functional recovery and youth peer work services. Family peer work support will no longer be available within either program.
What does this mean for young people who have been have referred to the program?
All young people accessing Sonder’s emerge program receive psychological therapy services and these services are not impacted for current clients.
Young people and their family members receiving family peer work services will be impacted, as well as some of those receiving peer work and functional recovery services. In these instances, staff will discuss options with the young person and where possible, their family members or carers. Options may include continuing to gain support but less frequently or through different modes and referrals to other programs.
Can I still refer?
Yes. Sonder’s emerge program will continue to provide much needed services for young people and referrals continue to be accepted.
Sonder will continue to seek opportunities to return funding to previous levels through advocacy and collaboration with the program’s current funders, Adelaide PHN. You will be advised of any future changes to the program via email and notifications will also be made available on the Sonder website.
To learn more about the program and to make a referral, visit sonder.net.au/emerge