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Victorian kids suffering from lack of mental health support from the government leaving them struggling to catch up after lockdowns

Under-resourcing of the mental health workforce has emerged as the number one issue facing the sector.

By news@gippsland - 31st March 2022 - Back to News

Too many Victorian kids suffering increasing levels of anxiety and emotional stress will continue to fall through the cracks, with State Labor confirming today a boost to mental health support in schools is still two years away. The government's Schools Mental Health Fund Menu won't be rolled out statewide until 2024, despite Victorian kids struggling to catch up, even today, after living through the world's longest lockdowns.

The impacts of COVID-19, isolation and uncertainties from the government, lack of mental health care are the factors leaving kids feel anxious, stressed and worried and struggling

Rolling out mental health

Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said rolling out mental health support for kids five years after lockdowns began was five years too late. "Time out of the classroom and away from friends has been devastating for our kid's mental wellbeing. They're overwhelmed by just how hard it'll be to catch up on two lost years of learning," Ms Kealy said.

Just this week, Victorian school Principal Pitsa Binnion described student's anxiety levels at McKinnon Secondary College in Melbourne's south-east suburbs as, "Quite profound, and we've seen a continuous escalation pre-covid and it's continued".

Labor ignoring reports

At the same hearing of Victorian Parliament's Pandemic Declaration Accountability and Oversight Committee, Swifts Creek P-12 School Principal Robert Boucher said the mental health team at the school, "Are all flat out because there is a need, because of the anxiety that some people are feeling as a culmination".

But state Labor governments have ignored dozens of reports in the past two decades, including reports produced by Victoria's Mental Health Royal Commission, that mapped out solutions and immediate action to recruit more workers.

"The pandemic has made the problems in Victoria's broken mental health system worse. We're now three years into the Royal Commission's mental health reforms, and yet State Labor has ignored the majority of interim recommendations which were related to the urgent need to build Victoria's mental health workforce." Ms Kealy said.

Reform blocked by MPs

Ms Kealy also said, "Labor has been in government for 19 of the past 23 years. Only a change in government will deliver Australia's largest ever mental health worker recruitment drive to cut waitlists and get our kids the support they need, when they need it."

The Liberals and Nationals have twice introduced legislation to Victorian Parliament in recent months that would unlock 2000 counsellors to provide support to students as mental health practitioners. This reform was blocked on both occasions by Labor MPs and Independents.

The Liberals and Nationals have also announced support for changes to funding criteria for provisional psychologists, which would unlock a further 2000 mental health professionals into the mental health workforce.

Pictures from Gippsland Region Public Health Unit Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Melina Bath warned underfunded regional palliative care forces terminally ill Victorians into hospitals instead of home, calling for urgent investment to ensure dignity, support, and equal access across eastern Victoria.
• East Gippsland Council urges drivers to follow parking limits, protect access and support local businesses this festive season
  East Gippsland drivers are urged to follow festive-season parking limits, respecting time restrictions, loading zones, and disabled bays to ensure town accessibility and support local businesses.
• Darren Chester commends Mac Waste Group for community commitment and support for Gippsland families
  Darren Chester praised Mac Waste Group for its community commitment, local job creation, youth training initiatives, and support for Gippsland families through its partnership with the Little Jem Foundation and fundraising efforts.
• Martin Cameron criticises WorkSafe, calling system flawed after apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Victoria’s "fundamentally broken" WorkSafe system, highlighting apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury, ongoing struggles, and calling for urgent reform, fairer compensation, and better support services.
• Baw Baw Council extends Acting CEO Sally Jones’ term until June 2026 supporting leadership continuity
  Baw Baw Shire Council has extended Acting CEO Sally Jones’ term until June 2026, ensuring strong leadership and continuity while CEO Tilla Buden focuses on health and recovery.
• CFA faces critical staffing shortages in Gippsland as Labor government fails to act before dangerous fire season
  A new report reveals serious CFA staffing shortages in Gippsland, with vacancies, fatigue, and leadership gaps risking slower responses this dangerous fire season. Labor must act urgently.
• Tim Bull criticises sudden last-minute VLine reductions from six to three carriages, causing tension due to limited rolling stock
  Victorian country train passengers are forced to stand up to four hours after last-minute carriage cuts, with MP Tim Bull urging PSOs and additional services to protect booked seating.