MERINDA Park Learning and Community Centre has one wish with its new counselling service MPAACS – that it makes an ‘impact’ to the community.
The Cranbourne North centre officially opened its new initiative – Merinda Park Adolescent and Adult Counselling Service – on Thursday.
The service is the centre’s response to the high number of youth suicides and mental health problems in Casey, highlighted in the media last year particularly with the Four Corners episode There is no 3G in Heaven.
Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre chief executive Jan Gilchrist said the program brought to the staff’s attention how bad the problem was in the area.
She said it had such an impact on staff that they wanted to do more to help some of the vulnerable young people to make a better choice about their lives.
“After seeing that, we felt that perhaps we weren’t doing enough to for the youth of this area,” she said.
The centre sought funding to run the program and received enough from the City of Casey to run it for two days a week.
Ms Gilchrist said the centre and management thought that it was such a vital service needed that they decided to invest with their own funds to allow it to run five days a week.
MPAACS aims to assist youth in particular, through informal chats, one on one counselling and referrals if required.
It service will be run by counsellor Nikki Thompson and a team of 10 volunteer support workers.
Ms Gilchrist said staff wanted to take a stand against youth suicide in Casey.
“We are hoping it will be a huge success,” she said.
“We want to make an impact on the community and by the support we are getting already, I think we are going to do that.
“I can’t wait to have the youth and adults come through the door and see how we can make some sort of improvements to their lives.”
City of Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon, who officially opened MPAACS, said it was fitting to open the service on Valentine’s Day – something the centre intentionally did.
“While we are expressing our love to those special people in our lives, we should be mindful that others may be feeling lonely and isolated,” she said.
“There would not be many among us today who do not know of someone who has experienced mental illness at least once in their lives.
“Sadly, this includes a number of young people in society for whom the experience of mental illness is all too real and too often tragic.”
Cr Stapledon said the council has been aware for some time and concerned about the recent youth mental health issues in the local community.
“Over the last 12 months the City of Casey’s Youth Services team have worked with lead agencies across the region to develop a collaborative approach to youth mental health issues,” she said.
“Over this time a number of agencies have offered support to their local community and today is one more example of this.
“I wish much success to all those involved in delivering the service and hope the many young people in Casey who need assistance will take that first step and walk through these doors.”
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley, who attended the opening, said she believed the new service would be a success.
“It’s in great need,” she said.
“I know in this area we need more of services like this.
“I congratulate you on taking on this initiative and seeing the community need for it.”
To make an appointment to see the counsellor call 5995 8305 or 5996 9056.
People are also able to walk-in to utilise the service between 4pm and 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Those in need of assistance should call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
