Act now to save teens

Mental health help critical, says expert

MENTAL health advocate Patrick McGorry says “urgent action” must be taken to ensure young people can access support services if they need help.

The executive director of Orygen institute and headspace founder said young people were often able to identify signs of mental illness, but were left with nowhere to go when they tried to seek help.

Professor McGorry said peers, teachers and community leaders were also left with little to turn to if they suspected or identified signs of mental illness displayed by loved ones.

“Where do the teachers go? Where do the peers go? We do have headspace but it’s an island, it’s a desert and they aren’t enough,” he said.

Prof McGorry said there was urgent need for investment in targeted programs that would build a comprehensive mental health care system.

“At the moment, it is like if you break your leg and someone does first aid with no X-ray and no surgeons,” he said.

Prof McGorry said there were too many superficial awareness campaigns and a lack of real action to support the young people.

The calls for greater investment follow a fourth male teen suicide in Geelong in the past three weeks.

Headspace chief executive Jason Trethowan said the agency was working with all schools in Geelong to support young people during this time.

“The recent impact has been profound for the entire Geelong community and has affected multiple schools, thousands of families, educators, and young people,” Mr Trethowan said.

“Headspace, in partnership with multiple agencies and the sector, is working to promote help seeking, connect families and young people to services, monitor and reduce risk and communicate helpful information.

He said young people experiencing high levels of distress or suicidal thoughts should seek professional support.

Parents have also been urged to seek information and talk to their children.

Research from the Orygen institute predicted an extra 370,000 Victorians, including 82,000 young people, could experience mental health disorders in the next two years.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has committed $48.1 million in additional funding to mental health, including $14 million for support providers faced with surging call volumes.