FEDERAL Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell met with members of the Mitchell Shire Youth Council recently to hear about the success of their Mental Health Initiative which is delivering targeted mental health support for young people across the Shire.
The Initiative, delivered in partnership with Mental Health Foundation Australia has established a pilot program providing free psychological counselling to young people, operating through the Broadford Youth Room and Broadford Secondary College, with both face-to-face and telehealth appointments available.
In addition, The Bridge Youth and Family Services will deliver a complementary initiative based in Wallan.
Mr Mitchell was very impressed to hear how the youth council have made mental health support a priority for their current term.
“It was terrific to sit down with members of the Mitchell Shire Youth Council and hear directly about the program and why access to mental health support is so need for young people in our community,” he said.
“Young people know best what is happening among their friends, in their schools and in their communities, and we need to make sure their voices are part of the conversation when we develop services for them.
“What I particularly like about the program is that it is taking support to young people where it is needed and also gives them options of how they can access it too.”
The Mental Health Initiative provided 50 counselling appointments across June and July, supporting young people experiencing a range of mental health and well-being concerns.
Mr Mitchell acknowledged access to mental health services was particularly important for young people living in growing outer-metropolitan and regional communities.
“When a young person reaches out for help, we want that help to be accessible, affordable and available as early as possible,” he said.
“That is why the Federal Government is investing more than $200 million to expand, upgrade or establish 58 headspace services including 20 in regional and remote communities including one in Seymour and also introducing 30 headspace Plus centres for young people with more complex needs.
“I want to congratulate the Mitchell Shire Youth Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Mental Health Foundation Australia and everyone involved in getting this pilot underway.
“Most importantly, thank you to the young people who spoke with me and shared their experiences and ideas. Listening to them is essential if we are going to continue improving mental health support for young people across our communities.”
