Mental health support services
Rachel WESTAWAY (Prahran) (09:53): I am perplexed. Where are the new bed-based rehabilitation services, the local mental health and wellbeing hubs, the regional mental health boards and the services for older Victorians that the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recommended and the government promised to deliver? The crisis in mental health is impacting the people of Prahran. We see people in dire need of assistance on our streets. They need care and treatment that is simply not available to them. Left to wander the streets untreated, these people create a dangerous and unpleasant environment for local residents and traders. Exasperated local shopkeepers and residents continue to tell me how they often end up clearing up the mess, including providing emergency food, clothing and money to these people, as well as literally cleaning up vomit and excrement.
With streets like Chapel Street becoming the dumping ground for people with complex needs abandoned by this government, shoppers stay away and small businesses suffer. Many traders are taking the heartbreaking decision to close their businesses, which shatters their own dreams, reduces local employment and further destroys the vibrancy of our shopping strip. The government promised to implement the recommendations of the royal commission in full, but the last four years have been marked by delays, changes and a clear lack of will to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society.