Bridgetown GP backs return of youth services committee

A leading mental health advocate and Bridgetown doctor said she was “thrilled” the Shire had re-established a youth services advisory committee. Blackwood Youth Action chair and Bridgetown GP Doctor Sarah Youngson, right, said she hoped the re-established committee would focus on the needs of the young people of the area. Ms Youngson said a youth services advisory committee was something the BYA strongly supported to help with the mental health and wellbeing of the Bridgetown-Greenbushes youth. “I feel that our young people are important, very important contributors and participants in our community,” she said. “We need to be looking at our young people’s needs before they get to the point where they are at risk, marginalised or struggling with mental health and wellbeing.” The motion to recreate a youth services advisory committee was added to the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire council agenda by new councillor Tracey Lansdell. Cr Lansdell said she was “disappointed” when the committee was disbanded last year which put the Shire’s youth strategy in hiatus. The Greenbushes representative said she was confident the council would support the new committee. “It was wonderful to receive unanimous support from council on this motion, she said. “With new councillor injection and essentially new team energy, this felt like the beginning of an upwards trajectory towards hearing our community more and responding with meaningful, grounded action.” Cr Lansdell said the next step was for the council, Shire workers and BYA to negotiate how the committee would function within the community. The Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire voted unanimously to re-establish a youth services advisory committee at the October 28 ordinary council meeting.