The Blue Mountains region is grappling with higher-than-average rates of youth hospitalisations due to mental health distress, prompting local leaders to take action.
On Wednesday, 4 September, the Mental Health Coordinating Council, in partnership with Blue Mountains City Council, Uniting NSW.ACT, Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Wellways, and Flourish Australia, will host a pivotal community event focused on tackling this pressing issue.
The event will bring together local mental health service providers, community members, and key stakeholders to share knowledge, explore new strategies, and strengthen partnerships aimed at better supporting the mental health of youth in the region. Trish Doyle, Member for Blue Mountains, will deliver the opening address, underscoring the importance of this collaborative effort.
With the Blue Mountains facing ongoing challenges in youth mental health, this gathering offers a vital platform for community mental health workers to collaborate, share best practices, and develop a coordinated response. These frontline workers, integral to the mental health landscape, will have the opportunity to connect, discuss current issues, and build robust networks to enhance the region’s mental health services.
Corinne Henderson, Director of Policy and Systems Reform at the Mental Health Coordinating Council, highlighted the event’s significance: “This gathering is crucial for our community to strengthen the networks that support young people. Given the challenges in the Blue Mountains, it’s essential to ensure that mental health services are not only available but deeply connected and responsive to their needs.”
Key speakers at the event will include experts from various mental health organisations, such as Marita Schwendler from Child, Youth & Family Mental Health, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Priseilla Seghabi from Uniting, Kelley Phillips Hulm from Headspace Katoomba, Nicola Lomax from Youth Community Living Support Services, Wellways, and Simone Angus from the Ted Noffs Foundation.
