Today, Dan Tehan MP, Member for Wannon, hosted the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, in Wannon.
Mr Dutton and Mr Tehan met with local businesses and community members to discuss the devastating impacts of the recent Grampians bushfires and to ensure that essential government support is reaching those in need.
They also met with members of the Pomonal, Halls Gap and Moyston CFA brigades to personally thank them for their exceptional efforts in safeguarding local communities.
Mr Dutton and Mr Tehan continued to Ararat, where they hosted a roundtable at the East Grampians Health Service to advocate for establishing a future Headspace facility.
The Coalition government has fought hard to deliver improved mental health services for young people in major towns across Wannon. It has funded, and secured ongoing funding, for centres in Warrnambool, Portland and Colac, as well as for a new centre that will start providing services in Hamilton at the end of this month.
A future Headspace in Ararat would ensure that all major towns in Wannon are equipped to provide the support, stability and nurturing that young people who are not flourishing, need at this crucial moment in their lives.
“The consequences of failing to address and treat adolescent mental health conditions can have long-term repercussions,” said Mr Tehan. “Physical and mental health can be impaired, education, employment and overall well-being can be impacted, and opportunities for young people to lead fulfilling adult lives can be limited.”
This is why we require significant investment in early intervention and preventative measures, targeted at young people,” he continued.
Mr Tehan said he was proud to be a part of a government that has invested approximately $2.1 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services and initiatives. "It is crucial that this level of investment in youth mental health continues into the future, including supporting new services," he said.
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