Professor McGorry will give a public lecture at 3pm in the Circular Lecture Theatre at La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus.

During his visit, Professor McGorry will meet local youth mental health service clinicians and managers as well as community leaders, to hear about issues important to them.

He is particularly interested in the recently established Headspace service in Bendigo, which ensures that timely and accessible early intervention can be provided to young people living in the area. 

Rural youth mental health has received much media attention, particularly the issue of youth suicide, which impacts families, health workers and communities.

La Trobe Rural Health School occupational therapy program co-ordinator Dr Carol McKinstry said that although there had been limited promotion of the lecture, the response had been far greater than anticipated.

“The response has been overwhelming, with mental health clinicians throughout northern and central Victoria keen to attend – we had to change the venue to cope with the expected numbers,” Dr  McKinstry said.