International Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August is an opportunity to remember lives lost to overdose, reduce stigma and raise awareness of the support available for people experiencing alcohol and other drug challenges.
At Meli, supporting young people early can make a significant difference to their health, wellbeing and future opportunities.
Through Meli’s Youth Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) service, young people aged 12 to 25 can access counselling, outreach and care coordination tailored to their individual needs.
The service supports young people experiencing challenges related to alcohol and other drug use, while also addressing the broader issues that often accompany substance use, including mental health concerns, family conflict, housing instability, disengagement from education and involvement with child protection services.
Meli works closely with partner organisations including Odyssey House Victoria, headspace, Barwon Health and Colac Area Health to help young people access the right services and navigate what can often be a complex support system.
Meli Director Youth, Housing and South West, Josephine Taylor, said early support was critical in helping young people achieve better outcomes.
“The young people we support are rarely dealing with a single issue. We’re increasingly seeing alcohol and other drug use alongside mental health challenges, housing instability and family conflict. These issues can escalate quickly and become much harder to address,” Ms Taylor said.
Many young people seeking support are facing multiple and interconnected challenges.
Accessing support early gives young people the opportunity to address concerns before they reach crisis point, helping to reduce the long-term impact on individuals, families and the wider community.
Meli’s Youth AOD service supports young people aged 12 to 25 through counselling, outreach and care coordination, helping them navigate not only substance use concerns, but also the broader challenges that can impact their wellbeing.
Seeking support early can make a real difference.
If you or someone you know could benefit from support, visit meli.org.au or contact Meli’s Youth AOD team to learn more.
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