By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
FEDERAL ALP politicians and candidates have lashed out at a planned cut in Headspace Narre Warren’s services for acutely mentally ill young people.
After a briefing with Headspace staff, the Labor delegation including Holt MP Anthony Byrne said the progressive funding cuts to the centre’s Youth Early Psychosis Program (YEPP) was “beyond comprehension”.
By June this year, it’s expected the program in southern Melbourne would have treated more than 600 clients.
In 2016-17 the Federal Government plans to cut the program’s funding by 20 per cent and extend the cuts to 70 per cent the following financial year.
Those funds will be redirected to the local primary health care network.
Despite its “enormous benefit” for Casey’s youth, the facility was not being guaranteed, Mr Byrne said.
“Reduction in the size of Headspace YEPP or its closure will result in the disruption of current clinical care arrangements and impact young people and families adversely.
“It is vital we guarantee the future viability of Headspace Narre Warren for the long term.”
Mr Byrne, who said he was part of a lobby that fought for the centre, said Labor pledged a co-ordinated service with YEPP and the local primary health care network.
La Trobe ALP candidate Simon Curtis said the Government was not able to “see the human story behind these heartless cuts.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood, who also lobbied for the Headspace centre, said he was “very committed” to the centre’s long-term future.
Mental health was one of his “major concerns” for the electorate, he said.
Mr Wood said current clients would continue getting “safe and effective” care as funding for the YEPP was redirected to primary health networks from July.
The change would broaden the entrance criteria for the program and potentially widen the geographical reach, he said.
“I understand the concern with the winding back of (YEPP) model of care, however it is important that we provide early intervention for a broader group of young people experiencing early symptoms of severe mental illness.”
