Thursday, 2 May 2024

Ministers statements: youth mental health

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research) (14:09): On this side of the chamber we know every investment we make in public education delivers dividends right across our state. We also appreciate that it takes a village to raise a child. That is why with the Premier this morning I had the great privilege to be out at Collingwood College and Fitzroy High to see our mental health initiatives in government schools delivering dividends in a learning environment for kids that need that help. For some children getting through the school gate is a heroic effort every single day – kids that have depression, kids that suffer anxiety. We know the royal commission said one in seven young people do have some form of mental health –

Members interjecting.

Ben CARROLL: I would not think they would be talking over me while I am talking about mental health in children. One in seven of our young people have a mental health condition. This government, following the landmark royal commission, has put more than $600 million into rolling out initiatives right through our schools. That has seen a mental health practitioner in every secondary school helping students in a tailored environment. We are 50 per cent through rolling out mental health care in our primary schools, and we are not stopping there. Through all of our initiatives we are getting on and making sure that the Education State continues to deliver. Some 9000 students have benefited from our mental health initiatives. That equates to some 70,000 mental health sessions right across this state, because we believe no matter who you are, no matter your background, no matter your postcode, you deserve to have every opportunity to succeed in life.

We also know how difficult it is for some people and some sections of our community to get through the school gate. That is why we are also supporting parents. Our mental health practitioners now are the anchors in the community, supporting parents, supporting students and also giving important relief to teachers, who we know have the most important job in the world training up and getting the next generation to go on and succeed. We are proud. We will never cut this initiative. We will keep building schools.