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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-06-19 Daily Xml
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Youth Mental Health

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:41): There has been a great deal of discussion in the media recently about drugs and young people. This has caused me to reflect on the way we as a society approach this very serious and complex problem and, more specifically, how we as policymakers aim to put measures in place to resolve it. A key factor, I believe, is our society's ability to see the person and not just the addiction or behaviour.

It is our duty as policymakers to ensure that the legislation that we design and pass into law is in the best interests of our state's children and young people. This is why we have committed to be signatories of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In fact, it is the very reason such a convention exists. Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states:

In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

Are we certain that we are living up to this? Are we listening to field specialists to ensure good policy is implemented? Experts are increasingly referring to the epidemic of mental health problems in young people. The World Health Organization has estimated that, 'Mental health conditions account for 16 per cent of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10 to 19 years.'

In Australia, the figures are truly alarming. beyondblue states that suicide is the leading cause of death among young people in Australia. In 2013, around 350 young people aged 15 to 24 died by suicide. Even more startling is that it is estimated that for every known suicide there are approximately 100 to 200 incidents of serious self-harm, yet in our state key mental health services are seeing a reduction of 25 per cent of their funding, that is, $6.8 million less that will be used to aid vulnerable South Australians.

When questioned, I have heard the government skirt around this matter time and time again, claiming the funding reduction is a product of the NDIS previous government's planning and arrangements. Let me be clear: the types of mental health services being requested, which I am drawing attention to today, have nothing to do with the NDIS.

The NDIS is built on a needs model, not a recovery and wellness model. It is the state government that has a responsibility to focus on mental health services from a recovery and wellness perspective and a responsibility to focus on current unmet demands. There is growing evidence of an increasing unmet demand for mental health support in our state, and there are going to be serious consequences if we do not heed the call of experts on this matter. We know that mental health is a key factor in increasing a young person's vulnerability towards poverty and homelessness, yet we are seeing less funding, less outreach and less support.

This is a real problem that illustrates just how vulnerable young people are becoming. We also know that alcohol and drugs play a significant role in the statistics. In fact, while youth offending has fallen consistently over the past 10 years or so in Australia, according to the Bureau of Statistics illicit drug offences by young people are the notable exception, increasing by 47 per cent in the years between 2008 and 2017.

This should give us all cause to stop and reflect on how effective our preventative measures are and whether we can approach this problem in a different way. Health experts refer to a range of factors that contribute to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, including disadvantage, mental health problems, marginalisation and disabilities such as intellectual disabilities. The Australian Medical Association has recently called for 'shifting the focus from criminalisation and penalties for drug users to providing suitable health care and treatment for those who need it'. The Law Society has echoed this sentiment.

This is especially important because we know that a significant factor contributing to youth offending is social isolation and marginalisation, which increases the vulnerability of young people. Therefore, tackling the problem by further marginalising and stigmatising young people by having an offender focus will exacerbate things. I would like to thank organisations such as the Aboriginal Health Council, the AMA, the South Australia Network of Drug and Alcohol Services, the Youth Affairs Council, the Guardian for Children and Young People, SACOSS and Uniting Communities for the important work they do.

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