Psychiatrists have welcomed the Victorian Government's landmark youth mental health investment, calling it a vital commitment to strengthening early intervention and community based mental health care. 

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Victorian Branch Chair Dr Simon Stafrace said expanding mental health services that are culturally safe, trauma-informed and accessible to youth within their community will help address the concerning rates of mental ill-health among young Victorians.  

The Allan Labor Government announced a $33 million investment to boost youth early intervention services and community safety, including: 

• $26.7 million to expand the Community Forensic Youth Mental Health Service delivered by Alfred Health andOrygenYouth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, offering more clinical assessments,treatmentand assertive outreach to young people athigh riskof offending
• $300,000 for a Youth Mental Health Collaborative in the west metro region
• $280,000 to embed a culturallyappropriate clinicianwithin the West Metro Community Support Group for young people from a South Sudanese background
• $400,000 for Project Sunrise
• More than $6 million for employment pathways and sports and recreation activities
• $750,000 to support three South Sudanese Community Support Groups

“Clinicians know that well-coordinated, community-based services work best for young people experiencing mental ill-health, and today’s announcement shows the state government understands this too,” Dr Stafrace said. 

"Victoria has one of highest rates of psychological distress among young adults in Australia. Young people with mental ill health are also more likely to misuse alcohol or drugs as a way of coping.  

“Early, effective mental health intervention doesn't just support a young person’s wellbeing but can prevent a cascade of other harms, such as disengagement from education, contact with the justice system and long-term social disadvantage.” 

While the investment will help reach young people at risk of falling through the cracks, Dr Stafrace cautioned that the system remains under significant pressure. 

“We need to be clear-eyed that this funding helps us catch up to a crisis that has been building for years,” he said.  

“Sustained, long-term investment will be essential if we are to meet current and future demand. We thank the government for this important step toward improving access to specialist mental health care for young people.” 

However, psychiatrists remain concerned that recent sentencing reforms relating to serious violent offending risk increasing the number of young people with mental health conditions entering custodial settings, rather than being supported through therapeutic diversion and rehabilitation.  

“Community safety and accountability are important, and we understand the concerns driving these reforms. While these laws are directed at serious violent offending, young people appearing before the courts are disproportionately affected by mental ill-health, neurodevelopmental vulnerability and trauma,” Dr Stafrace said.  

“We must ensure the balance does not tip toward incarceration at the expense of evidence-based mental health treatment and rehabilitation. Adolescence and early adulthood are critical developmental periods.  

“Young people’s brains continue to mature into their mid-twenties, and incarceration during this time can entrench trauma and mental illness rather than address underlying drivers such as childhood adversity, family violence or disrupted education. 

“The evidence consistently shows that for young people with mental ill-health, therapeutic diversion and rehabilitation reduce reoffending more effectively than incarceration alone, particularly when services are properly resourced and coordinated. 

“We are calling on the Victorian Government to apply evidence-based approaches consistently across health and justice responses involving young people, so that investment in mental health reform is not undermined by punitive settings that worsen outcomes and limit opportunities for recovery and reintegration.” Dr Stafrace said. 

For all other expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website. 

ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview call Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org.  

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org. 

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au. 

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.