Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government’s Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, and Federal Member for Casey, Tony Smith MP, of $4.5 million investment over three years for a new youth health hub.
EMPHN CEO, Robin Whyte, said the funding will support the establishment of a much-needed physical setting in the Lilydale area to provide services for young people in the Yarra Ranges and Dandenong Ranges.
“The hub will support young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and at-risk, with health and mental health issues.
“In our community, young people aged 18-24 have the highest prevalence of mental illness of any age groups,” Ms Whyte said.
“We welcome this announcement as it will fund the infrastructure and set up of the site as well as ongoing service provision for three years, to provide the community with a fit-for-purpose hub that provides a platform for integrated care to improve young people’s health and wellbeing.”
The new Integrated Youth Health Hub will provide responsive services commissioned by EMPHN in partnership with a range of community services including headspace, Yarra Ranges Council, local community health services, and alcohol and other drug services.
Services are planned to include outreach to the surrounding areas to enhance relationships and build capacity of schools, general practices and other services providers working with young people.
Service delivery is planned to start as early as possible.
For further information, read the Minister for Health’s media release.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Isabella Olivieri isabella.olivieri@emphn.org.au 0401 469 159