Canning MP Andrew Hastie hosted a meeting on Wednesday with local community leaders, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley to discuss a recent increase in youth suicide deaths in Mandurah.
Six young people in the Mandurah area have taken their own life since December.
Sadly, three were students at the same school.
“Clearly there is a need in the local community for greater support services for young people to cope with depression, anxiety, relationship pressures and other concerns, which is why I requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister on behalf of local leaders,” Mr Hastie said.
Attendees at today’s meeting included the Member for Dawesville, Kim Hames, Mandurah MP David Templeman, City of Mandurah Mayor Marina Vergone and Young West Australian of the Year, Rhys Williams.
Also in attendance were representatives from Peel Youth Medical Service (PYMS), WA Police, local council and two students from Halls Head Community College.
The group presented the Prime Minister and Health Minister with a local solution to support young people in the Mandurah area, via the PYMS Health Hub.
“The PYMS Health Hub is a best practice, GP-centered model of care that will provide a suite of services for 12-24 year olds dealing with drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues, family dysfunction and homelessness,” Mr Hastie said.
“The group that met with the Prime Minister and Health Minister today is united in its support for this project, across all levels of Government and both sides of the political spectrum, as part of a working solution focused on early intervention and prevention.
“The Peel Youth Medical Service already has a proven track record of youth engagement in the Peel region, but we are seeking Federal funding for a new facility that will allow PYMS to expand its services to keep up with the rapid population growth we’ve experienced here in the Peel region,” said the Member for Canning.
The PYMS Health Hub proposal is for a one-stop-shop that will provide youth-focused specialist services including a youth case manager, nurse practitioner, drug & alcohol counselling and support services, an adolescent physician, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, family support services, eating disorder clinic, sexual assault counselling, homeless services, training facilities and vocational services.
