Demand for youth mental health support in Western Sydney has surged, with one local service doubling its reach in the past year and delivering measurable benefits to young people.
One in seven men and one in five women experience high or very high levels of psychological distress, and people aged 16 to 35 account for half of all mental health diagnoses [1].
The Youth Enhanced Support Service: Western Sydney (YESS WS), delivered by Uniting NSW.ACT, has supported vulnerable young people since 2024.
Commissioned by WentWest and funded federally, the program provides free support to young people aged 12–25 years who live, study or work in Western Sydney and are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, severe or complex mental health issues.
YESS WS has dramatically improved access to psychological assessments for conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties – services that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars and involve long wait times. While the program is making a real difference, the team is managing its current workload effectively with support.
Strong partnerships and co-location with community services ensure YESS WS is embedded within the communities it serves. This approach has enabled the service to expand, increasing client support from 210 (FY23/24) to 435 (FY24/25), demonstrating the region’s high demand for these services.
These partnerships facilitate timely referrals, collaborative care, and a visible presence in youth-focused spaces, enhancing accessibility and integration.
“I feel like YESS Western Sydney, is probably unique in that sense because we do offer a variety of services to young people that they can’t get anywhere else. If they were to try and get it anywhere else, they are spending significant amounts of money.” [2]
Provider
“I’ve been in and out of community mental health services since I was about 11 years old and my time at YESS has been the first time I have been able to actually verbally discuss any amount of the trauma that I experienced in my childhood.” [2]
Young Person
WentWest continues to work with Uniting NSW.ACT to sustain the service, improve referral pathways and build partnerships.
Read more on the mental health services, including YESS WS (Level 4) on our website: Mental Health – WentWest
Questions? Email us at: commissioning@wentwest.com.au
[1] Needs Assessment 2025 – 2028, Western Sydney Primary Health Network
[2] Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS) Western Sydney Case Study 2023-24