The Andrews Labor Government has today opened expressions of interest for leaders to head up the new Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Victoria (YMHWV) body – delivering on a key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System for a safer and more supportive system for young people.
The YMHWV body will provide system leadership and champion the voice of young people with lived experience on its governing board and advisory body.
The Board will consist of at least two people aged 18 to 25 with lived or living experience of mental illness, and one person aged 18 to 25 with experience caring or supporting someone with mental illness or psychological distress. Candidates with lived and living experience of mental health are strongly encouraged to apply.
To be established once the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act comes into effect in September, YMHWV will be able to commission specialist services in the mental health system, with Orygen selected as the inaugural partner of youth mental health and wellbeing services in North-West Melbourne.
The Labor Government is seeking candidates who are dedicated to building a new mental health and wellbeing system, experience in reform management, collaboration, openness to working in a lived and living experience-led system.
The Royal Commission heard that young people often found the mental health system difficult to navigate and were not given age-appropriate supports. YMHWV will be a key pillar in the system for people aged 12 to 25, so young people can access the best support as soon as it’s needed.
The Labor Government’s investment in mental health support for young people includes $12 million in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 on top of a record $842 million in the Victorian Budget 2021/22.
The Labor Government has invested nearly $6 billion in mental health and wellbeing over the last three years – the largest investment in mental health in Victoria’s history – with work underway on 90 per cent of Royal Commission recommendations.
For more information, including how to apply, visit boards.vic.gov.auExternal Link.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams
“We’re searching far and wide for the inaugural Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Victoria board and looking for advocates who can lead this unique and tailored system for young people.”
“We know that age-appropriate care and early intervention is vital in making sure young Victorians get the mental health support they deserve, and this board will ensure our system provides just that.”
“The new Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Victoria board will lead the way for the safest and most accessible mental health system for young people, as recommended by the Royal Commission.”
