Mental health support for shire youth

BETTER access to mental health support will soon be available to young people in Mitchell Shire thanks to $10,000 in funding secured through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

Led by the Mitchell Youth Council in partnership with Mitchell Shire Council and local mental health providers the funding will support a new Pop-Up Youth Mental Health Service.

Evidence shows the need is urgently needed.

Mitchell Shire’s Health Profile reported that 22 per cent of residents experience high levels of psychological stress with nine per cent saying they are unable to access local support.

Surveys conducted by the Youth Council found that 55 per cent of young people don’t feel comfortable talking about their mental health.

The pop-up service will run from youth rooms in Broadford and Wallan with group sessions and workshops in youth-friendly spaces.

Mitchell Shire mayor Cr John Dougall said the project was a vital investment in young people.

“This is a great example of how youth voices can lead to real change,” he said.

“Our Youth Council identified the need, developed the idea and now, with this funding, we can make it happen.”

Youth Council mayor Nic Houghton said young people had been calling for a service like this for years.

“Mental health is the biggest issue for young people in Mitchell,” she said.

“We’ve heard it again and again through our surveys and conversations with peers.

“This pop-up service will make it easier to get support close to home.

“It’s about removing the barriers and showing that it’s okay to ask for help.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the work of former Youth Council members Taylah Macdonald and Heidi Banks, who first identified the service gap and suggested the pop-up model.”

The Pop-Up Youth Mental Health Service will begin later this year and run through to October 2026.