Access to support for youth mental health is becoming increasingly difficult, as there are few to no free or low-cost services available in Hobsons Bay, according to councillor Jonathon Marsden.
Cr Marsden raised a notice of motion during the June council meeting, calling on council to make supporting youth mental health crises a key priority.
Cr Marsden said that in 2021, 10 per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds in Hobsons Bay reported having a long-term mental health condition and psychological distress.
“It is higher among young people in Hobsons Bay than in Western Melbourne and Victoria overall,” he said.
“Young women in Hobsons Bay aged 15-24 were most likely to be hospitalised for psychological distress, with 1792 per 100,000 women presenting to emergency departments for mental and behavioural disorders.
“I’ve spoken to young people in my term as mayor about how, particularly during times of stress around exam time, people fronting up to the emergency ward because there’s no option otherwise.”
Cr Marsden urged council to conduct and inquiry into the mental health of young people , aged 12 to 25, in Melbourne’s inner west, specifically in the communities of Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.
“Secondly, undertake an assessment of the support services available for young people in Melbourne’s inner west and consider investment in any additional measures and funding to ensure that young people have access to more local, timely and affordable youth mental health services in the inner west,” he said.
According to Orygen executive director Professor Patrick McGorry, in May 2023, 726 young people were currently on a waitlist for treatment at headspace centres in Melbourne’s north-west.
Anne Parisianne
