Govt acts after teen tragedies
A MULTI-AGENCY response will support the Geelong community after a number of teen suicides.
Five male secondary school students have died by suicide in four months, with the most recent death last weekend.
“My department has met with representatives from the Education Department, local mental health providers, headspace, the City of Greater Geelong and (the) local health network on a co-ordinated response to make sure everything can be done to support the entire community affected,” Victorian Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said.
A MULTI-AGENCY response will support the Geelong community after a number of teen suicides in the region, according to Victoria’s Mental Health Minister, Martin Foley.
Five male secondary school students have died by suicide in four months, with the most recent death last weekend.
“Every single unexpected death of a young person is an absolute tragedy,” Mr Foley said.
“Our thoughts are with all family and friends involved, and the broader Geelong community.
“My department has met with representatives from the Education Department, local mental health providers, headspace, the City of Greater Geelong and (the) local health network on a co-ordinated response to make sure everything can be done to support the entire community affected.”
He said the Government had recently announced a $59.4 million mental health package to provide surge capacity for key services across Victoria, including resources for the extra demand in the Geelong region.
“We’ll continue working with the frontline mental health services and professionals in the area to best respond to these tragic circumstances,” Mr Foley said.
The department’s work also included testing referral systems between schools and mental health providers, briefing families, schools and communities around looking for the risks of mental illness or self-harm and where to seek help. Additional support has been provided to schools.
“We are currently rolling out mental health practitioners to every government school in the state,” Mr Foley said.
“They will offer counselling and early intervention services, as well as co-ordinating support for students with complex needs, linking in with broader allied community and health services.
“The program which is rolling out across the state puts mental health practitioners in schools to give students the support they need and help reduce the number of young Victorians tragically taking their own lives.”
The school of the student who died at the weekend has sent a letter to families, saying its wellbeing team and psychologists and social workers from the Education Department will be available to assist anyone needing support. TRUST YOURSELF, PAGE 21