At-risk young people in the region are the winners with a $1.87 million grant from Lotterywest for a new youth health hub.
The funding comes on top of commitments from federal, state and local governments and will mean construction of the state-of-the-art health facility will begin in November, with completion slated for early 2019.
The Peel Youth Medical Service (PYMS) and GP down south unveiled plans for the Australian-first youth health service in April, 2016, as a response to community concerns about youth suicide and drug abuse in Mandurah and the Peel region.
The health hub would be the first of its kind in the nation, and provide a one-stop shop for young people seeking medical and mental health treatment.
Local members of parliament David Templeman and Robyn Clarke delivered the funding on Friday to GP down south’s Amanda Poller and Eleanor Britton at the site of the health hub on Allnutt Street, near the Mandurah Train Station.
Mr Templeman said the project was an example of all tiers of government working together to help the community.
“That means we’re going to have a collaborative building that will deal with whole range of youth health service delivery, all under the one roof,” he said.
“We already know in this region how important it is given the tragic statistics we’ve had in the last couple of years in regards to young people self-harming and taking their own lives.
“This presentation today kick starts the project.”
Ms Poller said GP down south was delighted to receive the funding.
“This will provide a significant facility to address the health needs of the young people in Peel and provide that one-stop-shop facility with a whole range of important services to help address the health needs of young people and the challenges they face including mental health, drugs and alcohol and a whole range of other health and social issues,” she said.
Ms Clarke said she was aware of six young people who had died from suicide in the last fortnight.
“It’s devastating that our youth are taking their own lives and this facility we hope will at least intervene and stop this from happening,” she said.
The health hub would also home a $3 million on a new headspace facility for Mandurah, which was announced by Canning MP Andrew Hastie and federal Health Minister Greg Hunt in May.
Support is available by calling Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, Lifeline on 131 114, or beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36.
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
