An Andrews Labor Government will invest $60 million to completely rebuild the world’s largest international research institute for youth mental health, which is on the brink of falling down and taking our reputation with it. Orygen Youth Health’s Parkville facility is at the heart of Victoria’s status as a world leader in mental health, but inside century-old buildings, walls are crumbling, roofs are rotting and experts are working out of converted garages. Opposition Leader, Daniel Andrews, joined Orygen’s Executive Director and Australian of the Year 2010, Professor Patrick McGorry AO, to secure a future for the centre, protect our international reputation and save more lives. Labor’s $60 million investment will transform the site, building a world-class facility to support the centre’s vital work and attract millions of dollars in additional research funds to Victoria. The new 8500 square metre facility will house Orygen’s research arm, the National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health, which conducts more research than any mental health institute in Australia. It will also house the Orygen Youth Health Clinical Program, a specialist public mental service run by Melbourne Health. It will provide early intervention mental health services for up to 5000 young people a year. The project will create 350 construction jobs and, upon completion, accommodate 400 staff. Labor’s $60 million in funding will meet the anticipated State Government contribution for the $110 million project. Mental health disorders cause 60 per cent of the burden of disease for people aged 12 to 25, but three quarters of young people with mental health issues have no access to proper care. Victoria is the world leader in mental health, but that reputation is at risk, and so are the jobs and investment that come with it. There’s only so much our best minds can do if they’re not in the best facilities. They work hard to get young people back on track and I want to honour them. Our plan will completely transform this dilapidated site into the world’s best centre for youth mental health. It’s not just about our global reputation, it’s about the future of our kids.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 09:50:07 +0000
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