Goulburn youth shares outlook on need for mental health services in the region

Goulburn’s youth are being made to feel like their mental health concerns are too trivial to take up the region’s resources because of limited health services, a representative says.

Goulburn Mulwaree Youth Council’s Cole Park spoke of large wait lists of four to five months for psychiatrists and psychologists in the town and what his group is doing to overcome barriers.

The 19-year-old said young people were being left with only crisis phone lines to fall back on, rather than regular access to mental health services.

“Wait lists are pretty lengthy in Goulburn, at least the ones that you can get bulk-billed at, because finances become a problem as soon as you seek private health,” Mr Park said.

“So you either go on the Headspace wait list or just refer to a text helpline, which by no means is a bad idea.”

Goulburn Mulwaree Youth Council representative Cole Park.

Mr Cole said his experience was not unlike many of the youth with whom he communicated.

“I think I suffered from something that many other young people face, which is ‘I can only reach out if it’s drastic’.” Mr Park said.

He also has empathy for other young people experiencing problems.

“I was under the impression that my experience is not worthy enough of resources,’’ he said.

“However a couple of years out of high school and home has brought to my attention that seeking mental health support is not something you do at the last minute, rather when you notice things are going to slip.”

Though Mr Park believes his line of thinking was because of the stigma linked with seeking help, his experience is also specific to the region.

“If we were under the impression that the services were more robust and cater to more people, then maybe that view would’ve changed,’’ he said.

Through the work at the youth council, Mr Park and his fellow councillors aged 12 to 24, are trying to encourage conversations around mental health with other young people.

Goulburn Youth Council hosted the 2022 NSW Youth Council Conference in February, with mental health being the main topic of conversation.

“Resources may be something that come with funding and time,’’ he said.

“However, we are trying to provide chances for young people to get the information they need and be able to hear that they don’t have to wait around until things get bad.

“People should just seek whatever help they can get their hands on.’’

As one of its ideas, the youth council and their older counterparts at Goulburn Mulwaree Council will run school holiday programs.

“As much as they do have that ‘fun activity’ side to them, a lot of motivation behind those school holiday programs, especially those aimed for late primary school/early high school ages, is to help form a sense of community between people going through some big changes in their life,’’ Mr Cook said.

Beyond that, at the end of last year a “mindfulness garden” was completed in Victoria Park, after a Year 6 girl on the council hatched the idea.

“The goal was to provide some kind of calm, safe space that anyone could access if they need an environment away from what’s going on at home or just in life generally,” Mr Park said.

Mr Park said that Goulburn was heading into a positive direction when it comes to mental health.

“With every year I’m spending in Goulburn, the outlook is changing and getting better,” he said.

“I remember when I was younger, it was very much that stereotypical country outlook of ‘push through it on your own’, but now more and more people have started to become open to seeking help.

“We hear it so much from people in the community that they just really want those services and a way they can make sure their friends and community are getting the help they need.’’