AAPi Executive Director Tegan Carrison and AAPi member Dr Michael Carr-Gregg were both quoted in an article in the Herald Sun about calls to combat the youth mental health crisis in light of an 85 per cent increase in youth suicides in Victoria in the past year.
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said children were experiencing increasing levels of depression and anxiety post-Covid, consequently affecting their learning in the classroom.
“Youth mental health significantly impacts (students’) ability to learn, concentrate, and lead healthy lives,” he said.
“By investing in youth mental health, governments can support the resilience and wellbeing of future generations, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more productive society.”
Tegan Carrison said the continued lack of mental health funding has meant that too many people are financially locked out from receiving the help and treatment they so desperately need.
“This data should act as a wake-up call for urgent reform. Raising the rebate to $150 for a psychology appointment would give patients improved access to the mental health care they need," she said.
“The government could also ease this ongoing crisis by allowing the 8000 provisional psychologists around the country to offer a rebate to their clients; and by giving those with complex mental health needs access to 20 rebated sessions."
Read the article.