From April 27, Latrobe Community Health Service will begin providing youth counselling services from the City of Casey’s Youth Information Centres located in Narre Warren, Hampton Park and Cranbourne.
The service will be available for young people in Casey aged 10-25, as well as parents and carers, and will include crisis intervention and case management, in addition to referrals from schools.
The service will complement those provided by other local providers, such as Headspace.
City of Casey Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Patterson said Council’s recent community engagement found young people wanted better access to mental health services, including youth counselling, and Councils need to consider how best to meet that need.
“Latrobe Community Health is a community-focused organisation, with a proven record in delivering a range of quality youth services and programs,” Mr Patterson said.
“Working from our Youth Information Centres, we can ensure these vital services are available to the Casey community in safe and familiar surroundings close to where young people live, go to school and socialise."
Paul Ostrowski, CEO of Latrobe Community Health Service, thanked the Council for its investment in youth mental health.
“We have deep experience providing this sort of service, and as a not-for-profit community health provider we take real pride in our ability to build meaningful community connections,” said Mr Ostrowski.
“We’re looking forward to bringing our expertise in youth counselling to the young people of Casey.”
Latrobe Community Health Service received a three-year grant from the City of Casey following a review of Council’s Youth Services last year.
For more information on the LaTrobe Community Health Service Youth Counselling service and how to access it in Casey visit the City of Casey website.