Young people in the Macedon Ranges will be offered more mental health support through a new initiative partly funded by Bendigo Bank’s Gisborne and District Community Bank.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH) was awarded almost $300,000 as part of the bank’s community investment autumn round grants to develop and deliver a youth-centred wellbeing support service.
The initiative will be delivered in partnership with Macedon Ranges council and Macedon Ranges Health, in the aim to reduce barriers and improve access to services and activities that provide support and connection.
SCCH community mental health manager Adam Stefano said local young people will decide exactly how the model will look.
“This will be a service that is led by young people, for young people,” Mr Stefano said.
“Over the next few months council will be coordinating a consultation and design process in collaboration with young people and families with the service to commence later this year.
“We want to ensure that young people have wellbeing supports that meet their needs, are delivered close to where they live or go to school and at a time that suits them.”
The three-year project will support an additional 180 young people over three years and will address a significant gap in mental health support.
The SCCH team that will work with young people to deliver the program includes a mental health nurse, psychologist, youth counsellors, social workers, alcohol and drug counsellors, and family violence support workers.
The grant awarded will be the largest community grant ever provided by Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd (MRCE), which owns and operates Community Bank Gisborne and District.
MRCE chair Dominic Andreacchio said the company wants to invest in initiatives that support the health and wellbeing of local residents.
“We welcomed this opportunity to help close a gap in the very important area of mental health support for young people,” Mr Andreacchio said.
“Involving youth in the design process should make the new service more impactful, as well as give them the opportunity to build leadership skills and a deeper understanding of … organisations that … support youth mental health.”
