GP Down South and Peel Youth Medical Services (PYMS) have hit the streets to engage the community on the potential future services available to the community, as well as their hopes for creating a nation-leading service.
PYMS coordinator Eleanor Britton and Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie manned a stall with other PYMS crew at the front entrance of Halls Head Central to share their message of a leading mental health service in Mandurah, including their ever-growing petition for a Headspace service to be located in Peel.
“It's really important that we have the public come on board with whatever we are doing,” Ms Britton said.
“We know the Federal Government announced ten new Headspace sights across the country, and we've had discussions with Federal Government.
“But it's really important that, everything we do, the public buys into and understands it.”
The recent state election could potentially change Health Department funding, although Ms Britton said she was sure any state government would understand the importance of the issue.
“One thing we always try and do is not play politics,” she said.
“Things like health, mental health and drug and alcohol issues, especially among young people, are really important, and if we've got support from both sides of politics, all three levels of government and the community, we're bound to achieve what we've planned to achieve.”
Mr Hastie said the amount of support now behind PYMS and the mental health hub amounted to $2 million in federal funding, a $5 million commitment to mental health from the new McGowan Labor government, and land allocations from the local council.
“We’ve got everything we need, so why wouldn’t we push for a Headspace?” he said.
The PYMS Headspace petition has already reached 619 supporters, with an initial target of 1000.
Ms Britton said approaching the public physically not only raises awareness, but enacts the whole point of the service as well.
“Part of is it show that we really, truly have public support. You can do all these things digitally now - we're reaching some of the community online - but some people still prefer the old-fashioned pen and paper,” she said.
To sign Ms Britton and GP Down South’s petition for a Headspace in Mandurah, go to their Change.org petition page through this link.
If you, or anyone you know, is currently dealing with mental issues, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.
