The council hosted its first Youth Mental Health Summit at The Holroyd Centre last month which laid the foundations for its Youth Mental Health Action Plan and addressed some of the many issues facing young people.
The summit also heard the concerns of young people themselves with 12 high school students sharing their real life examples of social pressures and helping identify gaps in services available to them.
Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake said that council was prioritising access to youth mental health support services and programs.
Councillor Diane Colman gave the keynote speech calling for more advocacy around youth mental health resources.
“We need strategies for early detection and treatment. We also need promotion and prevention strategies,” she said.
“These strategies require an inter-connected approach where all levels of government are working with our community.”
Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Emma McBride, said the Government was working on setting up youth advisory groups on youth mental health and well-being.
“Our intention is for young people to be heard, respected and make a meaningful contribution to the work of government,” she said.
