A McGowan Labor government will provide close to $5.5 million towards youth health and mental health services in the Peel region, investing $4.99 million in a new health hub and a further $400,000 towards the Three Tier youth mental health program.
Speaking at GP down south on Friday morning, Labor leader Mark McGowan said the Peel region had been “crying out for more services for its young people and the government has not been listening”.
“The need is very real,” he said.
“Suicide is the leading cause of preventable death among Western Australian teenagers and more needs to be done to improve our young people’s mental health and resilience.
“This program has been evaluated, it is effective and it is ready to roll out.
“Under a McGowan Labor government it will be funded as a matter of priority.”
Joining Mr McGowan for the announcement was Mandurah MP David Templeman.
“Within the last 12 months we have lost too many of our young people to suicide in this region,” Mr Templeman said.
“We have huge issues ion the Peel region and the construction of a one-stop shop will help provide young people with the services they need.”
Mr Templeman said he had been “begging” the state government to fund the Three Tier youth mental health program since February, 2014.
“Despite the worsening issue of youth mental health and youth suicide in this region, pleas for this program to be funded have fallen on deaf ears.”
READ MORE in Mandurah Mail, January 20.
