More youth mental health services in Hobsons Bay

Hobsons Bay is in a 'youth mental health desert' with not enough public or private youth mental health services in our area. If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline 13 11 14.

What we need

More timely, local and affordable youth mental health services.

Why we need it

Young people in Melbourne are experiencing an ever-increasing need for mental health support services, and for some, the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the already high demand for assistance. Access to mental health support is critical for community wellbeing. However, in Hobsons Bay there is little to no free or low-cost mental health services for young people when compared to other Melbourne metropolitan areas.  The nearest ‘headspace’ services are in Werribee and Sunshine, up to an hour away by public transport and both with long waiting lists. 

The need in Hobsons Bay and the inner west is very real

• In 2021, ten percent of 15 to 24-year-olds in Hobsons Bay reported having a long-term mental health condition.
• Psychological distress is higher among young people in Hobsons Bay than in Western Melbourne and Victoria overall. 
• Young women in Hobsons Bay aged 15-24 were most likely to be hospitalised for psychological distress, with 1,792 per 100,000 presenting to emergency departments for mental and behavioural disorders. 

Funding Commitment Request

Council is seeking our community’s fair share of state and federal government investment in youth mental health services to address the growing mental health crisis faced by young people aged 12-25 in Hobsons Bay and the inner west of Melbourne.

How you can support this

More Local, Timely and Affordable Youth Mental Health Services for Hobsons Bay campaign

From 10 July to 20 August 2023, we asked young people and the community about their experience in accessing youth mental health services in Hobsons Bay and surrounding suburbs, so we could demonstrate the need for more local, timely and affordable services in our community to the state and federal government. A summary of the feedback we received is here(PDF, 3MB)

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during this time. While Council is actively advocating for more services, we need your help! Find out more and support our campaign for more services for Hobsons Bay. Your support will show the State and Federal Governments that Hobsons Bay and the inner-west need more youth mental health support services - now!

Advocacy Updates

• In August 2023, our advocacy for more youth mental health support services in Hobsons Bay and the inner-west ramped up. Young people from Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong shared their experiences of accessing mental health support with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, The Hon. Emma McBride and Federal Member of Parliament for Gellibrand, Tim Watts, as well as Councillor Tyler from Hobsons Bay and the then Mayor of Maribyrnong, Councillor Sarah Carter.  Find out more here: Forum shines a light on urgent need for mental health support - Hobsons Bay.
• In November 2023, we presented a summary of the feedback we received from the ‘More Local, Timely and Affordable Youth Mental Health Services for Hobsons Bay’ campaign to the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, The Hon. Emma McBride and Federal MP for Gellibrand, Tim Watts.
• We received a positive response from the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care and are always hopeful for more news about a headspace service or an increase in youth mental health support services for our community.