By Allyson Fonseca
HEADSPACE recognises the need to respond in better ways to young people with mental health and alcohol and substance use issues.
Established by Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Headspace places an emphasis on youth-friendly environments and improved accessibility.
Wyndham City Council and Orygen Youth Health recently held a forum attended by more than 120 people, including some of Victoria’s foremost authorities on youth mental health.
It was announced that Headspace would operate a facility in Wyndham from early next year and opened its first office in Sunshine last week.
The forum discussed funding for mental health services and operating youth specialist mental health services from outer municipalities including Wyndham.
Speakers included Tarneit State MP Tim Pallas, Professor Patrick McGorry from Orygen youth health, Peter Birleson director of integrated mental health services at Royal Children’s Hospital, Clare Roczniok a GP from Western Melbourne Division of GPs, Nick Prendergast from Headspace and Joanne Burns from the Department of Human Services.
Wyndham mayor Shane Bourke believes mental illness, particularly in young people, is a significant issue that needs to be addressed.
“It is important we raise awareness of mental illness in our community and work to provide services in Wyndham to treat mental illness and take preventive action,” Cr Bourke said.
“There was very strong support from those at the forum for improved access to desperately needed services and for funding from State and Federal Governments.”
Orygen Youth Health executive director professor Patrick McGorry said early intervention was the key to addressing mental illness.
“For 75 per cent of people with a mental disorder, the illness appears between the ages for 15 -24,” Prof McGorry said.
“Intervening early reduces the cost of treating people with a mental illness. We shouldn’t wait for people to be severely ill before trying to patch them up.”
Wyndham Council is continuing its campaign for Orygen Youth Health and Royal Children’s Hospital Child Mental Health Services to operate from the municipality.
Orygen recently began running some services from the Wyndham Community Health Service in Hoppers Crossing, however further services are needed.
