Arabic version: مجلس كياما يقطع التمويل لخدمات الصحة النفسية للشباب
Kiama Council’s decision to cut funding for the SENTRAL Youth Services has sparked concerns among parents and mental health professionals. The council is facing a significant budget crisis, with a $4.5 million deficit, prompting the need for drastic measures to balance the budget by June 2027. According to ABC News, the proposed closure of this essential mental health service has raised fears of increased youth suicides in the area.
Parents like Penny Rushby-Smith, whose son Felix has benefited from the services over the past three years, express deep concern. The SENTRAL Youth Services, established in 1993, provides free mental health support, assistance with domestic violence, and extracurricular activities to local teenagers. Rushby-Smith highlighted the importance of having trusted adults available for youth, stating that the closure could jeopardize the support system for many young people in Kiama.
The council’s budget cuts also include reductions in library hours and maintenance of sports fields, alongside the defunding of the youth service. The decision has drawn criticism from community members, with Rushby-Smith calling it a “real kick in the teeth.” She emphasized that the youth service is a critical resource for local families, and its loss could have dangerous repercussions for the community.
Former psychologist Travis Flinn echoed these concerns, warning that the closure could lead to an increase in local suicide rates. He called on the state government to intervene, stressing that removing access to free youth support services contributes to feelings of hopelessness among young people. The community is still healing from a tragic series of suicides in 2020, making the potential closure of SENTRAL particularly alarming.
Acting Kiama Mayor Melissa Matters, who has personal experience with the impact of suicide, acknowledged the difficult decision the council faces. Despite her own advocacy for mental health awareness through the Saving Sammy Foundation, she supported the budget cuts as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility. The council’s draft budget is expected to be made available for public feedback later this month, as the community grapples with the implications of these cuts on youth mental health services.
