Youth in Melbourne’s outer south-east lack mental health support

A youth service set up response to disturbingly high levels of youth suicide is desperate for state funding to allow it to expand. Much more support is needed at all levels of government, they say, if the tide is to be turned. 

 By OLIVIA CLARKE

The City of Casey is lobbying the State Government for $1 million in funding in the lead up to the state election to address high levels of youth mental illness in the area.

In the latest Victorian Government health report, conducted in 2008, it was revealed that 12.4 per cent of people within the Casey local government area had high or very high levels of psychological stress.

The council aims to complete stage two of the Narre Warren Youth Hub with the funding, which it says will “reduce some of the major challenges young people face in accessing wellbeing services that contribute to their positive mental health”.

Clinical psychologist John Jakupi – the director of South Eastern Counselling and Psychology, which operates a bulk billing counselling service in the area – said mental health support had a long way to go.

“We’re just absolutely overwhelmed,” Dr Jakupi said. “There’s a significant lack of investment in youth.”

Dr Jakupi started the bulk billing service after seeing an ABC Four Corners report on youth suicide in Melbourne's southeast, broadcast in 2012.

“After that was on I just felt really prompted to do something about it because I don’t think any of the services or any levels of government were doing enough,” he said.

Dr Jakupi said collaboration with local, state and federal government s was needed to address mental health issues, which affected all levels of society.

“I would like local government to be far more involved than they are. I don’t see much involvement at that level. State Government, I don’t really see much either to be honest,” he said.

“I just get the impression that a lot of issues are handballed and people don’t know who is there to actually tackle them.”

Dr Jakupi said it was often left to charities to pick up the slack.

“The local charitable services, places like Anglicare and Christian-based organisations, they’re stretched so tight it’s ridiculous,” he said. “They’re the safety net.”

A spokesperson for the City of Casey said the council was “continuing to work closely alongside key mental health stakeholders addressing the need of services for young people now and in the future”.

“By developing this [youth hub], Casey Youth Services are aiming to reduce some of the major challenges young people face in accessing wellbeing services that contribute to their positive mental health,” the spokerperson said.

Labor Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera said that along with domestic violence, mental health was a huge issue in the Cranbourne area.

"It has simply gotten worse in the last three-and-a-half years,” she said.

The Liberal candidate for Cranbourne, Geoff Ablett, did not respond to questions before deadline.

Neither party has committed to funding the youth hub.

For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.