Youth Mental Health

As part of running for council in Casey, Casuarina Ward, I am shining a light on the role council can play in supporting youth and being proactive at helping youth thrive.

?? Over a third of Casey's population are under 25. Many youth between 16-25 are struggling. Increased anxiety, school refusal, depression and loneliness need our attention. Poor mental health ripples throughout families and the community.

??There are practical, positive strategies that can help. These strategies take dedication and wisdom from adult and youth leaders. The basis of increased mental health struggles include loss of connection, worry about climate change, housing affordability and cost of living hindering independence, youth unemployment and school refusal.

?? Casey has a range of mental health services, but finding out what they do, who they serve, what vacancies/waiting lists they have etc can be very difficult and extremely frustrating for youth and their families. Councils have a role in coordinating and increasing accessibility to services, and information about services.

?? Aside from mental health struggles, youth in Casey have identified in previous council surveys and focus groups that they find it difficult to belong. Neurodiverse, LGBTIQA+, and disabled youth have expressed difficulty with finding appropriate recreational and social opportunities, often travelling many suburbs over to find activities that suit them. It's not good enough. Increasing accessible recreational and social opportunities is one of my advocacy priorities.

??The recently released Rainbow Action Plan goes a long way to outlining strategies aimed to increase inclusion of LGBTIQA+ youth, through increasing feelings of safety and acceptance. I look forward to seeing how this is implemented and how it helps youth connection and well-being, and building on the impetus of this recent release.

Many of our youth struggle in silence. They slip out of the school system and into the cracks.

?? Many of our youth struggle in silence. They slip out of the school system and into the cracks. They find navigating the maze of services too hard and miss out on entitlements. They are taking care of siblings, or ill parents.

It's easy, and necessary, to focus on the presence and outcome of youth crime, which everyone wants to stop.

But the silent youth deserve to be heard too.

Vote for me and I will advocate for strategies that:

? increase collaboration with existing community services such as Headspace, Each, Orange Door, and private professionals;

? increase recreational and social opportunities;

? increase support for families; and,

? make it easier to access services.

Together we can create a stronger, more compassionate and sustainable Casey.

Kim Ross

Independent Candidate for Casey, Casuarina Ward

www.kimross.com.au

Authorised by Kim Ross, PO Box 109, Narre Warren, VIC 3805.