Monash welcomes headspace pledge

Published on 19 October 2018

Monash Council has welcomed the Federal Opposition’s commitment for a headspace youth mental health facility to be located in Monash.

Member for Hotham Clare O’Neil and Shadow Minister for Health Deborah O’Neill made the announcement on Friday, 19 October at Oakleigh Grammar School in front of many young people, including some from the Monash Young Person’s Reference Group, who have been advocating, with Council, for more than four years for a headspace in Monash.

Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris said the pledge was a major step forward in securing this critical facility for the young people of Monash.

“We are enormously grateful for this support. This is a huge win for our campaign but more importantly for the young people of Monash who are crying out for the mental health support they need to reach their potential and live free from the mental health issues they are dealing with every day,” Cr Klisaris said.

“We are all so proud of the work that has gone into campaigning for this vital service and appreciate that the Member for Hotham Clare O’Neil, the Shadow Minister for Health Deborah O’Neill and Labor candidate for Chisholm Jennifer Yang recognise that this is a significant issue for our young people and have made this commitment to provide a headspace so they can get the support they desperately need.

“We believe this is a time for all political parties to step forward in the spirit of bipartisanship and do the right thing for our young people.

“Therefore, in the light of this announcement, we urge the Federal Government to also pledge their support and commit to providing this critical facility in Monash.”

Media Contact: Jo Robertson 0418 391 979 or email joanne.robertson@monash.vic.gov.au