THE interim report from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System should lead to long-overdue changes to the Wimmera's mental health services, Member for Lowan Emma Kealy says.
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Ms Kealy, who is also the Victorian Mental Health Shadow Minister, said mental health support had been neglected for too long.
"We've known for some time that Victoria's system is completely broken," she said.
The Wimmera has one of the highest rates of intentional injury in the state. The state average of intentional injury treated in hospital per 1000 people is 3.1.
Horsham has the highest rate of intentional injury in the state at 8.3 cases per 1000, while the overall rate for the wider Grampians region is 4.8.
"That just screams out to all of us that we must do something to fix this, and to stop unnecessarily losing lives in the region," Ms Kealy said.
"We also have to support people to help live a happy and healthy life."
Ms Kealy said additional funding for programs such as the Primary Care Partnerships and services such as the Wimmera Health Care Group was needed immediately.
Ms Kealy said she would also like to see investment to start a Step-Up, Step-Down program in the region, emphasising a supportive community environment to help people with mental illness.
Premier Daniel Andrews said his government would accept every recommendation in the interim report.
On Friday, Mr Andrews said they would expand the Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement program to include Goulburn Valley, Mildura and Warrnambool.
Ms Kealy said the Wimmera needed to be included.
"Let's make sure the Wimmera is on the map - they should certainly be prioritising at least the HOPE program to be expanded into the Wimmera," Ms Kealy said.
"We have one of the highest rates of suicide in the state, so why wouldn't we try to provide more intervention support when it comes to suicide in our region?"
The Commission will hold further public hearings in 2020 before delivering a final report in October.
- If you, or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Help on 1800 55 1800 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467; in emergencies, phone 000.
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Richard Crabtree
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
