by Luke Voogt
Geelong students are facing a psychologist shortage compared to their metro counterparts, according to a union survey.
Only 32.3 per cent of Geelong schools employ a psychologist, compared to 51.3 per cent in Melbourne, according Australian Education Union (AEU) data.
AEU Victorian branch president Meredith Peace said the data revealed a gap in mental health support in country and city schools, preschools and TAFEs.
AEU surveyed more than 3500 of its members in 10 days for its submission to State Government’s Mental Health Royal Commission, Ms Peace said.
The data found Geelong was also lagging behind the Victorian average of 45.1 per cent of schools employing a psychologist.
In the survey principals and teachers in regional schools indicated their students had less access to mental services then their metro counterparts.
Staff in large regional cities also reported higher rates of mental health issues, trauma, bullying and drug and alcohol use than their colleagues in Melbourne.
“The data shows students who face disadvantage are most likely to need mental health support, and least likely to receive it,” Ms Peace said.
“In addition, schools and preschools in small regional towns and remote areas have the greatest difficulty accessing appropriate mental health services.
“The more disadvantaged a student or school is, the less likely it is for them to be able to access appropriate and timely care. Many of these schools and students are in regional and rural Victoria.”
Ms Peace welcomed the Andrews State Government’s royal commission, its GPs in Schools program and its new $51.2 million Mental Health Practitioners in Schools initiative.
“But this investment is only at the tip of the iceberg of what is really needed … to ensure all students are appropriately supported,” she said.
Ms Peace called for a full review into student access to mental health services and formalised minimum standards “to ensure no students fall through the gaps”.
Education Minister James Merlino pledged to improve mental health services for students.
“Teachers, students and parents tell me that mental health is among their greatest concerns,” he said.
“That’s why we’re rolling out mental health practitioners in all government secondary schools, from term 3 of this year.
The 2018/2019 State Budget also provided a $65.5 million for health and wellbeing initiatives in schools, Mr Merlino said.
“We know that when our kids are happy and healthy they are in the best position to learn and realise their potential.”
