ATTEMPTS to secure a Headspace facility in Swan Hill have been unsuccessful after the region missed out in the latest round of funding.
Despite widespread support from the community, numerous letters and deputations, Swan Hill’s campaign has fallen on deaf ears.
On Friday the Federal Government announced a further 15 Headspace locations but Swan Hill was overlooked in the latest announcement.
Successful Victorian sites included Werribee, Kew and Craigieburn.
Disappointed by the outcome, Headspace lobbyist Glenn Stewart vowed he would continue to fight for increased youth facilities within the municipality.
“Admittedly our youth population is not as big as some of the regions announced but it is really disappointing given our statistics,” he said.
Mr Stewart said the statistics spoke for themselves with Swan Hill’s youth self-harm rate well above the Victorian state average.
“It is quite clear from the data that the need is here for some type of intervention, particularly for young people,” he said.
“Despite three deputations to State Parliament and lobbying the Federal Minister through our Federal Member and Swan Hill Rural City Council, we are still no better off.”
Swan Hill youth counsellor Graeme Hill has been inundated with referrals since starting his role on April 10.
“We have been quite busy,” Mr Hill said.
“There is a stronger need than I originally thought in relation to the role.”
He said a Headspace facility would provide a “holistic one-stop shop” for those seeking assistance.
Local schools and police have also thrown their support behind the need for a Headspace facility within Swan Hill.
Swan Hill College acting principal Andrew Sartori said there was a service gap within the community.
“The range of issues is an indication we need something to fill that gap,” Mr Sartori said.
“Our school Wellbeing Team has grown from one employee to seven in the past five years.
“It’s a huge part of our school now.”
Meanwhile, a Headspace spokesperson said determining the location of the new Headspace centres was based “on several considerations to ensure that Headspace delivers services in the areas of greatest need”.
“They include, but are not limited to: the distance from existing Headspace centres, the number of young people in the area, population growth; social and economic disadvantage, accessibility of the location and the readiness of the location to set up a Headspace centre.”
While Swan Hill has missed out in this latest round of funding, Mr Stewart remained hopeful.
“The resources we have on the ground are doing the best they can in these circumstances,” he said.
“At the end of the day we’re not going to get the resources unless we continue to fight.”
