THE need for a generalist youth mental health counsellor in Swan Hill has been “negated” by the introduction of other services, according to the State Government.
The comments come as the June 30 deadline for the cessation of funding for the position draws near.
It is something that has played on the mind of Swan Hill Rural City councillor Greg Cruickshank, who put forward a motion earlier this week to encourage council to advocate for an extension to the funding.
The motion outlined a “gaping hole” that would be left in local youth mental health services if the position was not refunded.
Last year, after intense lobbying from the community, the government pledged 70 percent of the $130,000 needed to fund the youth mental health worker position for one more year, on the condition that Swan Hill District Health and Mallee District Aboriginal Services made up the final 30 percent.
But the Department of Health and Human Services yesterday confirmed that would not be the case again this year.
For more on this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (June 12).
