❓ Mr. Stephens raises concerns about youth suicide attempts and the need for youth services in Balgo. The Minister acknowledges the issue but declines to provide additional funding from the Youth Affairs portfolio, citing existing Commonwealth and Department for Child Protection resources and alternative support programs.
AnsweredQoN 4242Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of recent media reports that there have been 12 attempted suicides amongst the youth in the remote community of Balgo in the South East Kimberley?
(2) Will the Minister take action to put in place funds from the Youth Affairs portfolio for a second youth worker to assist with this critical situation amongst these young people; and
(a) if not, why not; and
(3) Will the Minister take action to put in place funds to assist with the replacement of a Youth Centre, which burnt down last year as a result of the activities of youngsters sniffing petrol at the community; and
(a) if not, why not?
(2) Will the Minister take action to put in place funds from the Youth Affairs portfolio for a second youth worker to assist with this critical situation amongst these young people; and
(a) if not, why not; and
(3) Will the Minister take action to put in place funds to assist with the replacement of a Youth Centre, which burnt down last year as a result of the activities of youngsters sniffing petrol at the community; and
(a) if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
31 January 2011
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Youth
Response time
83 days
(1) Yes I am aware of the media reports on attempted suicides in the Balgo Community.
(2) No.
(a) I have been advised that the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department, through the Indigenous Justice Program, currently provides funding to the Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation to employ two youth workers in the Balgo community. In addition the Department for Child Protection currently employs a Senior Community Child Protection Worker located in the Balgo community. This is an important on-the-ground resource to support the families and the community.
Funding in the Youth portfolio, administered by the Office for Youth in the Department for Communities is targeted at the delivery of youth development initiatives across the state including Cadets WA, a range of funded services such as Youth Focus and Kid's Helpline, the One Sky Many Paths Indigenous Youth leadership program and youth grants to support local initiatives.
Since 2009 the Office for Youth has provided funding to the LuurnpaCatholicSchoolin the Balgo Community to run a Police Ranger program in which Indigenous young people are learning valuable skills while providing an important service to their community.
The Office for Youth provides a range of information resources including resources relating to emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. These include
Fit Mind, Fit Body and Soul; Understanding Youth Suicide
and
Feeling Winyarn
(targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people).
The Office has worked with the Mental Health Commission on the Music Feedback initiative using popular music to encourage young people to talk about mental health issues and to seek help. The message "Music talks about mental health, so can you" is promoted through a website and a CD/DVD which has been widely distributed, including throughout the Indigenous community.
(3) The Department for Child Protection which has local support staff in the community is able to support the Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation regarding identifying appropriate funding options such as LotteryWest for a multi-function youth centre if required.
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(2) No.
(a) I have been advised that the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department, through the Indigenous Justice Program, currently provides funding to the Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation to employ two youth workers in the Balgo community. In addition the Department for Child Protection currently employs a Senior Community Child Protection Worker located in the Balgo community. This is an important on-the-ground resource to support the families and the community.
Funding in the Youth portfolio, administered by the Office for Youth in the Department for Communities is targeted at the delivery of youth development initiatives across the state including Cadets WA, a range of funded services such as Youth Focus and Kid's Helpline, the One Sky Many Paths Indigenous Youth leadership program and youth grants to support local initiatives.
Since 2009 the Office for Youth has provided funding to the LuurnpaCatholicSchoolin the Balgo Community to run a Police Ranger program in which Indigenous young people are learning valuable skills while providing an important service to their community.
The Office for Youth provides a range of information resources including resources relating to emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. These include
Fit Mind, Fit Body and Soul; Understanding Youth Suicide
and
Feeling Winyarn
(targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people).
The Office has worked with the Mental Health Commission on the Music Feedback initiative using popular music to encourage young people to talk about mental health issues and to seek help. The message "Music talks about mental health, so can you" is promoted through a website and a CD/DVD which has been widely distributed, including throughout the Indigenous community.
(3) The Department for Child Protection which has local support staff in the community is able to support the Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation regarding identifying appropriate funding options such as LotteryWest for a multi-function youth centre if required.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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