Media Releases

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a new mental health facility in Shepparton.
Shepparton was one of four locations in Victoria chosen as part of the national headspace initiative – a service that provides youth 12-25 years mental health care, drug and alcohol services and vocational support.
“I met with the executive director of GV Area Mental Health Bill Brown and several others involved in mental health care in my office last week regarding funding for the headspace program so I’m delighted Shepparton has been chosen as a location for this service,” Mrs Powell said.
“Mr Brown and his colleagues informed me of the need for greater mental health services in Shepparton as demand is outstripping existing resources.
“Shepparton currently has a long waiting list of people wanting access to mental health services so having the headspace program based here will give more youth an opportunity to access appropriate help when they need it.”
Mrs Powell said Shepparton currently had a good mental health program, provided by Goulburn Valley Health, including a youth early intervention team and Youth Justice Mental Health – services which are well-connected to alcohol and drug services and applicable to Indigenous youth living in the region.
“But given the high demand for mental health services, headspace will be a very welcome addition to the services currently available,” Mrs Powell said.
Dandenong, Ringwood/Knox and Ballarat also received headspace funding.
“I congratulate State Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge for her commitment to this program and for investing a further $6-million to allow headspace sites and services to undertake capital upgrades to improve their delivery.

The Nationals Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is encouraging residents of the Shepparton district to provide comments on the Exposure Draft of the Mental Health Bill.

Mrs Powell said the closing date for submissions had been extended until Monday, February 28, in line with a commitment given by the Liberal Nationals Coalition in the lead-up to the November 27 state election.

“The Coalition is committed to ensuring that the mental health sector, people living with a mental illness and their families and carers have the opportunity to submit their ideas and have them taken into account in framing the bill,” Mrs Powell said.

“The deadline set by the previous government did not provide sufficient time for individuals, families and other stakeholders to prepare submissions, and this was very unfair given the importance of this piece of legislation.

“There are a number of individuals, families and community groups in the Shepparton electorate who are affected by this legislation, and I encourage them to make their thoughts known by way of a submission.”

Mrs Powell said that based on what had been received already, it was clear that some issues needed further discussion and review.

“These include issues such as the sharing of information, the provision of compulsory treatment and ECT and the decision-making capacity of young people,” Mrs Powell said.

“Victoria’s Mental Health Act 1986 is the oldest mental health legislation in Australia and needs to be brought into line with current standards.”

Submissions on the Exposure Draft Mental Health Bill 2010 can be lodged electronically at http://www,health,vic,gov.au/mentalhealth/mhactreview or sent to Review of the Mental Health Act, Department of Health, GPO Box 4541, Melbourne.