The Victorian Government has announced a $33 million investment aimed at strengthening early intervention and mental health support for young Victorians, with a focus on keeping them engaged with their communities as they approach adulthood.
The funding, announced by Minister for Mental Health and Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt and Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman, will expand youth early intervention services and community safety initiatives, including new programs coordinated through Victoria’s Violence Reduction Unit.
A central element is a $26.7 million expansion of the Community Forensic Youth Mental Health Service, which supports young people assessed as being at high risk of offending. Delivered by Bayside Health and the Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, the expanded service will increase clinical assessments, treatment and assertive outreach, with the aim of providing targeted mental health care earlier.
Minister Stitt said the service played a critical role for vulnerable young people and their families. “The Community Forensic Youth Mental Health Service delivers vital support for young Victorians at high risk of offending and their families—that’s why we’re boosting funding so the expert team can continue its important work now and into the future,” she said.
The funding, announced by Minister for Mental Health and Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt and Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman, will expand youth early intervention services and community safety initiatives, including new programs coordinated through Victoria’s Violence Reduction Unit
The expanded service is expected to improve coordination across health and community services, allowing wrap-around support to be provided earlier and helping divert young people away from the justice system.
Several initiatives will also be rolled out through the Violence Reduction Unit, which is modelled on approaches used in Glasgow and London that focused on early intervention to reduce violent crime. The Victorian model draws on findings from the Council on Bail, Rehabilitation and Accountability, which has identified a strong link between trauma, mental ill health and behaviours of concern among young people who go on to offend.
Minister Stitt said early intervention was central to changing outcomes. “These investments will give young people earlier access to the right supports—from specialist mental health care to culturally informed family assistance, and early intervention—keeping them on the right track for a bright future,” she said.
Part of the funding includes a new Youth Mental Health Collaborative in Melbourne’s west, supported by $300,000 to improve coordination between local services, families and referral pathways, particularly for young people at risk of offending. A further $280,000 will embed a culturally appropriate clinician within the West Metro Community Support Group to deliver trauma-informed mental health and alcohol and other drugs care for young people from a South Sudanese background.
The Victorian model draws on findings from the Council on Bail, Rehabilitation and Accountability, which has identified a strong link between trauma, mental ill health and behaviours of concern among young people who go on to offend
An additional $400,000 will go to Project Sunrise, a culturally tailored alcohol and other drugs initiative for young Victorians aged 12 to 34 from African communities and their families. Funded through the Victorian African Communities Action Plan, the program has engaged more than 3,000 people across eight local government areas since 2021.
More than $6 million has been allocated to strengthen employment pathways, expand access to sport and recreation, and provide tailored mental health support. Supported by the Violence Reduction Unit, community support groups across Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia, Melton, Brimbank, Wyndham, Banyule and the City of Melbourne will deliver a new youth employment program designed for multicultural young people.
Minister Suleyman said the focus was on practical opportunities. “We’re backing programs that open real pathways for multicultural young people—whether that’s a first job, training, or a sporting program that builds confidence and connection,” she said.
More than $6 million has been allocated to strengthen employment pathways, expand access to sport and recreation, and provide tailored mental health support. Supported by the Violence Reduction Unit, community support groups across Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia, Melton, Brimbank, Wyndham, Banyule and the City of Melbourne will deliver a new youth employment program designed for multicultural young people
A one-off $750,000 allocation will support three South Sudanese Community Support Groups following recent violent incidents that have affected those communities. The funding will increase the number of bicultural youth workers and provide additional family support packages.
Minister Suleyman said community-based support was key. “By strengthening community-based support, we’re helping young people feel supported, engaged and set up for success in their local communities,” she said.
The investment forms part of the government’s broader approach to early intervention, with an emphasis on connecting young people to support, opportunity and community networks before problems escalate.
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