Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council calls for voices of young people to be heard in review of Queensland’s Youth Detention Centres

The voices of young people need to be heard in a proposed review of Queensland’s Youth Detention Centres, according to the Chair of the State’s Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council, Dr Peggy Brown.

Responding to a recent announcement by Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath of an independent review, Dr Brown stressed the importance of ensuring effective oversight of detention centre operations.

She said the review needed to place sufficient emphasis on the challenges faced by many young Queenslanders.

“The Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council looks forward to considering the Terms of Reference when released by the Government with a view to ensuring that there is sufficient emphasis on the needs of young people in detention, as well as the appropriateness of the models of care,” Dr Brown said.

She urged the review to consider the importance of trauma informed care in public policy, service design and delivery. Trauma informed care is an approach that emphasises physical, psychological, and emotional safety, and creates opportunities to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.

The Queensland Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council is appointed by the Minister for Health to provide advice to the Mental Health Commission.