Around 7 per cent of residents are at risk of developing poor mental health in Mitchell Shire, compared to 3.9 per cent state-wide, according to the Mitchell Shire Healthy Minds Strategy 2019-2024.
The study also reported nearly 15 per cent of people in Mitchell Shire report high or very high psychological distress and 75 per cent of mental illnesses in residents develop before the age of 25.
Ms Maxwell said the worrying challenges in Mitchell Shire, like many other parts of northern Victoria, were exacerbated by a lack of access to appropriate and accessible local mental health services, poor visibility of service options, and limited early intervention and integration.
She said adding to this were workforce shortages and an absence of a capability framework to guide transitions care.
A Youth Hub is under development in Wallan to provide mental health assessment and care to local youth, which Ms Maxwell said was a welcome project for the community.
“With forecasts that the population of the Mitchell Shire will double by 2036, we need to get services in place to meet current demand and develop for the future,” she said.
“With higher rates of family violence and mental health needs compared to the state average, it is important that residents are able to access services at a local level.”
In a statement the Victorian Government said extra funding has been provided to expand access to phone counselling such as Beyond Blue, Lifeline, Kids Helpline, Suicide Line Victoria.
"We have also fast-tracked Orygen Youth Health’s new eOrygen platform for online therapy and peer support and the Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement (HOPE) prevention program has also been rolled out across the state, so that more Victorian’s can get the immediate mental health care support they need, regardless of where they live," the statement said.
"People in Mitchell Shire are also benefiting from increased access and integration of mental health services across Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires as a result of the Lower Hume Primary Care Partnership (LHPCP) established in 2018.
"A priority area for the project is to improve the interface between mental health services, alcohol and other drugs services and family violence services."
A state government spokesperson said since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victorian Government has invested more than $220 million in additional mental health support.
"This funding has helped local mental health services across the state, including in Mitchell Shire, boost their capacity to meet increased demand, ensuring all Victorian get the care they need," the spokesperson said.
"The Victorian Government is also boosting mental health services, by rolling out 170 new acute mental health beds across the state.
"We know there is more to be done, which is why the Victorian Government set up the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System to re-design the current system to better meet the needs of all Victorians. All recommendations of the Royal Commission will be implemented."
The six key mental health priorities Ms Maxwell wants to see addressed in Mitchell Shire are:
- A wrap around mental health service for adults and older people;
- A headspace for young people in Seymour and/or Wallan;
- Funding and support for the implementation of an Expanded Step Care Model;
- Funding for a Mental Health System Navigation service;
- Funding for the Mitchell Youth Health initiative;
- Funding and support for the Live4Life Program.
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