In the Victorian Government budget handed down today the Andrews Government made good on its pre-election commitment to provide a $60 million contribution to build new facilities for Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, and the state-funded Orygen Youth Health Clinical Program at their current site in Poplar Road, Parkville.
Mental illnesses, and associated problems, are the most significant health issues experienced by young people, and the period of life during which most mental illnesses strike for the first time. Orygen leads research and reform in the development of innovative youth mental health services and treatments, impacting on how mental health services for young people are provided in Victoria, nationally and in countries around the world.
The Premier and the Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley, have both visited the current facilities on the Orygen site in Parkville and seen first-hand the extremely dilapidated buildings in which services are provided to young people and families, and in which Orygen staff work. The need for a total rebuild was clear, and the Andrews Government has responded with this substantial investment.
‘This $60 million investment will secure the transformation of mental health care for young people in Victoria and Australia that was begun some 25 years ago at Parkville’ says Professor Patrick McGorry AO, Executive Director of Orygen. ‘Orygen is the state, national and international epicentre for youth mental health. This new facility will catalyse world-class research, new discoveries, better treatments and a secure future for young Victorians with mental illness’, he added.
‘It is a watershed moment which reflects the vision of the Andrews government as it begins to rebuild Victoria’s public mental health system. Through this commitment, the government has also recognised the vital role of medical research in the creation of better outcomes in mental health. Young people and their families in Victoria have every reason to congratulate Premier Andrews and Minister Foley for this announcement.’
The planning of the new facilities is well underway with building expected to be completed in 2018-19. Once open, the facilities will be utilised to provide and coordinate clinical facilities for the provision of services for up to 5,000 young people per year, and research and training facilities that will expand Orygen’s world-leading innovation and training services through the conduct of clinical research trials and the provision of training programs available to thousands of clinicians.
A final investment of $15 million is being sought from a number of potential sources to support the full building program.
‘We need to focus on evidence-based early intervention to support young people to recover and pursue their life goals. This is an investment in young people’s future, an investment that will save lives and futures and create new breakthroughs in care’, Professor McGorry said.