The crisis in youth mental health in Victoria has become an election issue for voters, the majority of whom now know that there are thousands of young Victorians with serious mental illness who are unable to access the specialist care they need, a Galaxy YouGov poll has revealed.
The poll, commissioned by Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, surveyed 1003 Victorian voters last month on their attitudes to youth mental health in Victoria.
Just one in 10 Victorian voters admitted they were very confident that a young person with mental ill- health would be able to get help before it reached a crisis point.
The poll also showed Victorians recognise the importance of treating mental illnesses when they first emerge, with 90% of voters agreeing that early intervention was preferable to waiting until a young person was extremely unwell before seeking treatment. More than 90% also agreed that young people should be able to access timely treatment in their local communities rather than waiting for a life- threatening crisis.
Professor Patrick McGorry, executive director, of Orygen said the poll results were backed up by figures that show there has been a 46 per cent increase in mental health presentations to emergency departments in Victoria for young people aged 19 years and under over the past 7 years.
The polling also revealed:
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82% of Victorians agree mental health should be a top priority for the next Victorian Government
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41% of Victorians thought access to treatment for young people with mental illness was poor
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90% of Victorians believe untreated mental health issues can derail a young person’s life and
lead to lifelong problems; and
- 89% of voters polled agreed that young Victorians should have ready access to community- based mental health care.
Professor McGorry said the poll findings showed voters would no longer tolerate the many years of underinvestment by successive Victorian Governments in mental health services for young people. “We are seeing a rising tide of preventable deaths and self-harm in this state,” Professor McGorry said. “There is virtually no pathway beyond the GP and headspace centres for tens of thousands of young people with potentially serious mental illnesses. These young people remain untreated, with escalating distress and risk, until they are forced to present to emergency departments in crisis, or they come into contact with police and ambulance services.
“With the completion of Orygen’s new clinical research facility at Parkville, funded by the Andrews Government, we have an incredible opportunity to redesign and scale up youth mental health services across this state. This would ensure that all young Victorians with mental ill health, and their families, can access expert care when and where, and for as long as they need it. We call on the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to commit to this overdue investment in safe and effective mental health care for young Victorians and their families. ”