EXPERTS warn increases in bullying, family violence and economic disadvantage, coupled with a lack of support services, are driving up youth suicide rates in Wyndham.
While there are no official figures for youth suicide in the municipality, GPs and mental health workers say more young people are experiencing mental health problems than five to 10 years ago, and more are taking their own lives.
South Western Melbourne Medicare Local child and youth mental health liaison officer Sheryl Tunnecliff said youth mental health was a big issue in Wyndham where anxiety, depression, bullying and self-harm were major concerns.
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Orygen Youth Health director Patrick McGorry said a growing number of young people were resorting to suicide because they couldn’t get the help that they needed. He said many youths in Wyndham experienced isolation, a lack of purpose, jobs and training.
His concerns are backed up by a recent survey of high school students by South Western Medicare Local. A total of 108 students from Wyndham and Hobsons Bay were asked about their mental health. Common complaints included they had to wait too long to see someone, seeking help was too complicated and service providers didn’t understand them.
Werribee GP Joe Garra said it was disturbing that young people felt they couldn’t get help. ‘‘We need to give them permission to seek help by letting them know it is OK to talk to someone and raising awareness of the help that it available.’’
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