By Olivia Condous
Melton residents will have access to a new health hub to support mental health care for children and families from July this year.
The new Brimbank-Melton health hub is one of three in the state thanks to a $54 million dollar investment from the state government in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system.
The services will target the needs of children aged between 0-11 years old who have developmental, behavioural and emotional issues, while also providing assistance to their families.
A key service will be access to free assessments for development issues and autism in children.
The hub will also host a range of specialist and allied health services, such as pediatricians, psychologists, speech pathologists and parenting support.
The service will work in conjunction with existing local community health services, family services and mental health providers to provide better early intervention and age appropriate care to accommodate mental health and development issues in younger children.
Mental health minister James Merlino said there had been a gap in getting younger children the age appropriate care they needed with their wellbeing for too long.
“Now, we’ll have three fantastic new services up and running in July to support families,” Mr Merlino said.
“These hubs will be a one stop shop for the support families need for their infants and children, whether that’s specialist mental health treatment, development and autism assessments or paediatrician led medical care.”
The hub announcement comes after another new initiative from the state government focused on children’s mental health, as a part of a $200 million Schools Mental Health Fund.
Local mental health care providers are being encouraged to sign up to the Schools Mental Health Fund Menu, a new government directory designed to be used by Victorian schools to provide students with better access to mental health services.
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the bolstering of mental health and wellbeing support in schools was a key response to the Royal Commission findings.
“We want all Victorians to have access to the tools they need to live a happy life,” Mr McGhie said.
“I would encourage providers in the student mental health and wellbeing sector in Melton who would like to deliver services as part of our schools mental health menu to apply to be part of this important initiative.”
The Menu will be available to schools by September this year.
