The Victorian Government is investing $26.7 million to expand specialist mental health support for young people at high risk of offending or involved in the justice system.
The funding will expand the Community Forensic Youth Mental Health Service (CFYMHS), which provides early intervention and mental health care to young people aged 10 to 21 with complex needs and harmful behaviours. The service has operated since 2019 and is delivered by Bayside Health and the Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
The expansion will allow more young people to be referred directly to the service, including through schools and Victoria Police. It will also increase coordination between health, education, justice and social services, with shared care planning intended to provide more consistent support.
The government says the changes are designed to help young people access assistance before their circumstances escalate to crisis, while reducing pressure on emergency departments and helping divert those at risk away from the criminal justice system.
More clinicians will be added to multidisciplinary teams, while the program will provide further opportunities for clinicians to develop specialist expertise in youth forensic mental health.
Outreach will also be expanded, allowing clinicians to work with young people in their homes and communities rather than relying solely on traditional clinical settings.
The Victorian Government previously announced that the $26.7 million package comprises $21 million over five years and $5.7 million in ongoing funding. The expansion forms part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening specialist youth forensic mental health services.
Minister for Crime Prevention Paul Edbrooke said early support could help change the course of a young person’s life and contribute to safer communities.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said the expanded service would provide vulnerable young Victorians with access to care closer to home.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said early intervention could help prevent harmful behaviour from escalating into offending.
The government has also linked the investment to its broader crime prevention strategy through the Violence Reduction Unit, which focuses on early intervention, data-informed approaches and cooperation between government and community organisations. The unit is currently delivering violence prevention programs across Victoria.
The investment comes amid a broader expansion of forensic and youth mental health services in Victoria. The state government’s 2026-27 Budget includes funding for additional forensic mental health beds, while specialist youth forensic services are also being expanded within the youth justice system.
The government’s announcement also includes criticism of the Liberal Party’s position on the Violence Reduction Unit. The government says the Liberals would cut the unit if elected. That is a political claim from the government and is separate from the funding and service changes announced for CFYMHS.
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