The Walker Unit is a NSW-wide specialist adolescent mental health unit for young people, based at the Concord Centre for Mental Health.

It is an 11-bed unit providing further specialist support and intensive community care for young people with a history of multiple mental health unit admissions. Our intensive support includes individual, group and family-based therapies for you and your family or carer. We will also help with your school or work pathway as part of your admission. Then, when you're ready to go home, we will help you transition back into the community.

What to expect

When you arrive, we will take the time to get to know you and your family. Our multidisciplinary team will work with you to understand your needs and preferences. Our team includes mental health nurses, psychiatrists, peer support workers, social workers, psychologists, dietitians, registrars, occupational therapists, teachers and art therapists.

We will support you to attend the Unit’s Learning Centre each morning, and group therapies on weekday afternoons. In the Unit’s Learning Centre, we will support you to keep up with school or distance education. In the afternoon you may be involved in different groups including wellness and recovery planning, managing feelings, mental health education, art, music and sensory groups. You will also have time with your individual therapist and a family therapy appointment each week.

Families and carers

Families and carers are central to supporting a young person’s recovery. We will work closely with you, and your family, so everyone is in agreement about care and receiving the support they need.

We will meet with families regularly and involve the young person’s family or carer in any plans for taking leave from the unit.

What to bring

When you are coming to the Walker Unit, we will have a pre-admission meeting with you and will talk about what to bring and what is not allowed. Items that can be dangerous or unsafe for young people and are not allowed include alcohol, marijuana, illicit drugs, tobacco, vapes, energy drinks and weapons.

For more information, visit our what happens in hospital? page.

Meals

The Unit has a chef during weekdays. Please let us know about any special dietary requirements you may have.

Referrals

All referrals must come from the young person’s current treating child and adolescent psychiatrist. If you are not under the care of a child and adolescent psychiatrist, please talk with your local mental health service. 

The Walker Unit does not accept self-referrals.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Young people aged between 12-18 years old
• Have a severe and complex mental illness
• Have received a substantial period of treatment in an acute Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in a hospital-based setting
• Are eligible to attend high school or an alternative educational pathway

Referral process

Please contact the Walker Unit on 02 9767 8770 if you would like to refer a young person. Our Clinical Nurse Consultant will speak with the referrer for further information. We will respond to your referral within 10 days. 

Transport and Parking

Concord Centre for Mental Health is accessible by public transport. There are bus stops on Hospital Road, and the Rhodes train station is a short walk away. On Hospital Road there is a taxi rank, time limited paid parking spaces and a paid parking station.

Visit the Concord Hospital Map, Transport & Parking page for details.

Visiting

Visiting is welcome.

Visiting hours are typically 4.30pm-8pm weekdays and between 10am-8pm on weekends. This supports young people in the Unit to attend school and groups. Children are welcome to visit and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Please contact the unit ahead of your visit with children. 

Visiting times can be arranged to support the needs of young people and families, after discussion with the team.