Federal Member for Monash Mary Aldred has called for a new Headspace facility in West Gippsland.
With Warragul and Drouin recording the fastest population growth rates across Australia, addressing parliament Ms Aldred said mental health was one area being left behind as infrastructure and services struggled to keep pace with growth.
"I recently met with a number of dedicated staff from Latrobe Community Health Service in West Gippsland about this challenge.
"Despite its population growth, the Baw Baw Shire area does not have a Headspace of its own. You need to travel to the Bass Coast or the Latrobe Valley for the nearest service. These are significant distances to travel, particularly for those from smaller and more remote areas of the Baw Baw Shire like Erica, Rawson, Neerim South, Noojee and other towns."
In her speech Ms Aldred said Headspace Morwell supported 726 young people with their mental health during the 2024-25 financial year.
"Of those, 147 - or around 20 per cent - were from the Baw Baw Shire, many of whom would have travelled for an hour or more to get there," she said.
Ms Aldred referenced a 2024 survey of 370 year eight students in Baw Baw Shire. She said 36 per cent showed moderate to severe symptoms of depression.
"That's equivalent to almost three full-time clinicians' caseloads, yet there were no headspace funded positions in the Baw Baw shire area," she said. "Young people in our community deserve safe, inclusive mental health care that actually meets them where they're at, and their need is urgent."
In a separate speech in parliament, Ms Aldred noted that as a former board member of Lifeline Gippsland, mental health was an issue she was particularly passionate about and acknowledged the work of local organisations including Gippsland Youth Spaces.
In the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day last Wednesday, Ms Aldred also met with representatives of Suicide Prevention Australia and Lifeline Australia in Canberra.