THE Mental Health Minister, James Merlino, has been questioned whether he will ensure young people are supported at the new GV Health mental health unit through the provision of allocated youth inpatient beds.
Speaking in parliament recently, Independent Member for Shepparton District, Suzanna Sheed, spoke of the impact the pandemic has had on mental health in the community, especially for young people.
Ms Sheed asked Mr Merlino if the new $163M mental health unit to be built at GV Health, which was announced in the recent state budget, would offer inpatient services for children and adolescents in the Shepparton district.
“Molly, a young constituent of mine, has raised her concerns with me about access to mental health services,” Ms Sheed said.
“In the Shepparton district, there are no inpatient facilities for children and adolescents.”
Ms Sheed said she was concerned that the closest youth-specific mental health facility was Eastern Health in Box Hill and asked the minister to advise whether there would be capacity in the new mental health unit for inpatient services for children and adolescents who need such services in their own town.
