Canning MP Andrew Hastie’s Canning Ice Action Meeting has shown the steps taken to further developed Mandurah’s mental health and drug rehabilitation services, with $2 million in funding being pledged to Peel Youth Medical Service’s (PYMS) new youth hub.
Mr Hastie and his team organised the meeting on short notice to announce the funding pledge, promote networking between Mandurah’s existing mental health and drug rehabilitation services and to update the public on the Liberal Party’s plans to tackle the the issue of ice use.
“The funding is really going towards supporting the on-ground work these organisations are doing,” Mr Hastie said.
“It’s capital outlay, so that these organisations have basically a place where they can work from, and ensuring that services are available and are maintained to a high standard.”
PYMS manager Eleanor Britten said the funding and development of the hub had been a long time coming, and they were excited to develop strong intervention programs dealing with mental health and drug abuse.
“This announcement will really get the ball rolling,” Ms Britten said.
“We really wanted this facility to happen yesterday. It’s a facility that looks at early intervention and prevention, so we’re looking at the big issues in Mandurah.
“There’s a lot of young people struggling in Mandurah. What we see this facility as is something for the future. It’s visionary, there’s nothing like it around, and it’s a facility we think will really transform the region.”
Labor candidate for Canning Barry Winmar and Burt Labor candidate Matt Keogh both welcomed the announcement, but said the federal government needs to be held to account for dragging out a funding promise while frequently extending short-term contracts.
“What we’ve seen is the government basically delay and constantly put in place these six-month or twelve-month contracts to services,” Mr Keogh said.
“It’s just impossible for service providers to have any idea of a long-term plan, or keep staff on, when they don’t know what financial situation they’ll be in twelve months down the toad.”
Mr Winmar said Labor would provide a three-year plan for mental health services in the region.
"What is important about this is that recovery can take 12 to 36 months so short term funding can cut short rehabilitation leaving clients worse off than before they began treatment,” he said.
“Hard working and dedicated local services need to be supported and resourced to meet the needs of local people in the Peel Region.
“Agencies such as Palmerston are struggling to cope with demand and that’s why Labor will commit $1.4 million to Palmerston guaranteed for three years.”
