THE State Government is under pressure to increase resources for mental health services, including providing a devoted treatment unit, to address growing concerns about youth suicide and a worsening mental health crisis.
In her contribution, Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell cited new Coroner’s Court suicide data that revealed 23 Victorian children under 18 years had taken their own life in 2021, and another 70 young Victorians between the ages 18 and 24 had suicided.
Ms Lovell said that the Goulburn Valley community has been rocked by the passing of five young people who have taken their lives since November last year, and she sought urgent action from Mental Health Minister, James Merlino to provide additional services needed to combat the crisis.
Member for Shepparton, Suzanna Sheed also called on Health Minister Martin Foley to ensure that a new mental health unit would be funded in the state budget, revealed Tuesday evening after The Adviser has been printed. She spoke about how the pandemic significantly increased the level of distress and prevalence of mental health issues across the state.
“A significant investment in a new mental health unit at Goulburn Valley Health has been identified as a high priority for Stage 2 of the redevelopment,” Ms Sheed said.
Ms Sheed had been contacted by a 20-year-old constituent who sought assistance to advocate on behalf of young people who had been unable to get the required support. She said that while Shepparton has organisations like Headspace and many online services, wait times are up to six months or more.
Ms Lovell had raised the issue of inadequate mental health services in October 2021, explaining that young people in the North-East who required inpatient mental health were forced to attend Box Hill Hospital, an inadequate 12-bed facility that services children from Melbourne’s east and the entire North-East region.
“While further infrastructure will not alone solve the problem, it goes some way to alleviating the stresses on our current system and on those seeking their services,” Ms Sheed said.
