MEMBER for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has lashed out at the “perilous” failure of the Victorian Government to extend funding for Swan Hill’s only generalist youth mental health counsellor.
Earlier this week Mr Walsh questioned Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley over the re-commitment of government funds.
“The mental health of adolescents living in rural settings is equally as important as their city peers, yet they are faced with so many barriers when seeking professional health,” he said.
“The clear message is that this generalist youth mental health counsellor position in Swan Hill is of crucial significance to the wellbeing of our vulnerable young people.”
Swan Hill Rural City Council (SHRCC) sent a letter advocating for reinstatement of the funds to two State Government Ministers earlier this week –– just a week before government funding for the role officially ceases.
For the past year, the position was part funded by three organisations –– 70 percent from the Victorian Government, and 30 percent from Swan Hill District Health (SHDH) and Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS).
MDAS will take over funding of the role from July, with the counsellor to continue working with SHDH clients until Headspace opens at the end of the year.
SHRCC Mayor Michael Adamson said demand for the position was high, and reinstatement of the funding was seen as a priority.
“All of the different organisations have been working together… I don’t think we could have sent this letter any earlier,” Cr Adamson said.
“There has always been additional need [for youth counselling].
“The amount of funding provided at the moment has always been superficial to the need.
“What we want to make sure is that the Minister for Health and the Minister for Mental Health have in front of them that this community needs extra funding.”
Although he said counselling would be “integrated into Headspace” when it opened, the current position was still necessary.
Earlier this month, a spokesman from the Department of Health told The Guardian the counsellor’s position had been “negated” by the introduction of other services, including Headspace, which is not expected to be operational until Decemeber.
