Chisholm federal Liberal MP Julia Banks refuses to endorse Monash Council’s headspace proposal
THE missing piece needed for Monash to push for a dedicated youth mental health service is within its grasp, but the person responsible is failing to give the go-ahead.
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MONASH youth crying out for a dedicated mental health service are desperate to convince Chisholm federal Liberal MP Julia Banks to give them her backing.
But so far Ms Banks is refusing to endorse the proposal for a headspace centre for which Monash Leader has joined Monash Council in a campaign called Minds Matter.
A headspace centre in Monash has near unanimous support, including that of Bruce federal Labor MP Julian Hill, but is being held up by Ms Banks.
Monash Council has become so desperate for greater mental health services for its youth that an interim hub has been set-up in Glen Waverley.
A range of agencies now attend Monash Youth Services two days a week, including Eastern Health, headspace Hawthorn, EACH and Link Health and Community.
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Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris said it was an “improvement” in providing young people with the mental health support they need but was still just “a stopgap” until a full-time headspace centre is provided.
“This is a great start, but our young people need and deserve more,” he said.
“Two days is better than nothing but it is not adequate to meet the mental health needs of the young people in our community who are crying out for help.”
Cr Klisaris said he “walked away shattered” from a recent youth forum after listening to children aged 12 to 16 talk about how they were struggling with mental health.
Mr Hill said this situation was a great example of “why young people get frustrated with politics”.
“There’s a clear and growing need. There’s a strong case. Yet Federal Government MPs have simply refused to back our community,” he said.
“The Liberal Government’s continued refusal to support a headspace in Monash is a terrible blow (to) young people in our community who need a dedicated mental health service and have campaigned so hard.”
It comes as the State Government announced funding for a major new study into gambling and health that will help prevent and reduce gambling harm in the future.
Ms Banks did not respond to requests for comment.
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