MEDIA RELEASE - Where’s our Headspace?
Successive election announcements by major parties have drawn attention to the lack of funding for mental health services. Eastern Ranges GP Association asks local candidates why there hasn’t been a commitment made to youth mental health in the Outer East?
Depression is the most common mental health problem suffered by young Australians aged 12-25 years. Around 1 in 4 young people will have had a depressive disorder by the end of their adolescence. In the Shire of Yarra Ranges alone, this means that 6447 young residents will suffer from a depressive disorder during their adolescence.
Anxiety disorders are also common. Around 1 in 10 young Australians aged between 18 and 25 will experience an anxiety disorder in any 12-month period. For young people between the ages of 13 -17, the figure is around 1 in 25. The Shire of Yarra Ranges has 13,465 18-25 year olds, meaning 1346 of them will experience an anxiety disorder in any 12-month period. It also has 12,334 13-17 year olds, meaning 493 of them will experience and anxiety disorder in any 12-month period.
The Shire has significantly more hospitals admissions for mental disorders than the Victorian State average. Worse still, young people account for the highest proportion of hospital admissions to mental health units, including emergency admissions. Services specific to youth mental health have been co-located under Headspace funding to provide youth mental health services in Melbourne's north, west and south, with an election commitment made to a new site in Collingwood.
Eastern Ranges GP Association's Chief Executive Officer, Kristin Michaels, said, "The Outer East has been overlooked as a Headspace site in successive funding rounds."
"Young people in the Shire of Yarra Ranges already suffer difficulties accessing mainstream services due to the shortage of health workers and services in the area, the lack of public transport and the distance they need to travel to see a health professional.
"They deserve access to a youth specific service that can help them, or someone they care about, through a tough time, without having to travel to Collingwood," she said.
Local General Practitioners (GPs) and the Association call on the major parties and local candidates to commit to providing a Headspace site for young people in the Outer East.
"GPs are committed to providing the best care to their patients. That's why they need the support of a Headspace youth mental health service. A place where both GPs and their patients can receive dedicated assistance", said Ms Michaels.
Eastern Ranges GP Association represents over 200 general practitioners (GPs) in Melbourne's outer eastern and southern suburbs. It provides over 600 free mental health services to the community each month.
CONTACT: Kristin Michaels, CEO, Ph: 9871 1000
ISSUED: 10 August 2010