Port Hills young lose out

Young people in our Port Hills electorate look set to lose out again. A nearby icon, the Christchurch free youth health centre, 198, is closing its doors, leaving our vulnerable youth at more risk. The centre, which has provided free medical, sexual and mental health services for 7,000 under 25’s a year for the last 15 years is closing due to changes in funding.

Taken in conjunction with the waiting lists for youth mental health patients in Christchurch this is a double blow to young people and their families. Firstly they lose an invaluable service and secondly there is nothing to replace it. Young people do not tend to discuss sexual or mental health issues with their family GP, it feels uncomfortable and even though privacy laws are tight teenagers can be wary of family ‘finding out.’

New Zealand already has high rates of teenage pregnancies and deplorable statistics on teen suicides. Why a service that addresses these issues and serves vulnerable teens admirably is targeted through funding cuts is beyond comprehension. National needs to stop decimating services to the young, the elderly and those that are doubly vulnerable through age and mental or physical health issues.