23 June 2015
The Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has thrown down the gauntlet to the
Melbourne Labor Government to continue the funding of a generalist youth mental
health counsellor position at Swan Hill..
In State Parliament today Mr Walsh put a question to the Minister for Mental Health
The Hon Martin Foley MP.
“Given that a Swan Hill Youth Mental Health Report shows that 80 young people some
on multiple occasions presented to the Swan Hill District Health emergency department
in 2012 with issues such as depression anxiety and self-harm and given the significant increase of the drug ice amphetamine on rural youth I ask the Minister to commit to the continuation of funding “ Mr Walsh said.
“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.
“The Melbourne Labor Government decision to reduce services even further is perilous.”
Mr Walsh challenged the Minister to demonstrate his government’s bona fidas to the
young people of Swan Hill by recommitting to this funding.
“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 “
he said.
