Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh has launched a new program aimed at promoting healthy and active living within the community.
The Lindsay Healthy Active Living Network will involve a quarterly forum where local health professionals and organisations can come together to discuss the issues that affect the region and suggest methods of approach.
Topics such as preventing disease, child obesity and mental health will be at the forefront of these conversations.
Ms McIntosh met with Minister for Health, Greg Hunt earlier today to officially launch the initiative.
Ms McIntosh said healthy living is something she is extremely passionate about and looks forward to having these important discussions in the near future.
“The Lindsay Healthy Active Living Network is a collaborative forum that I will host quarterly, and I am inviting our local health, community, sporting and lifestyle organisations to participate,” she said.
“We will focus on topics such as creating active and healthy lifestyles, mental health, preventative health and education such as tackling childhood obesity, and the utilisation of our natural resources such as the Nepean River, and our local sporting and recreation facilities.”
Mr Hunt said he was proud to join Ms McIntosh in launching the Lindsay Healthy Active Living Network and said it will be deeply beneficial for the future of the region.
“From children to our older community, the Network will aim to promote healthy and active lifestyles across Lindsay and collaborate on ways to bring more programs and infrastructure to deliver these outcomes while connecting with local residents in Lindsay,” he said.
During Mr Hunt’s visit to Penrith, he and Ms McIntosh also paid a visit to Wentworth Healthcare to discuss a new youth health program and invite them to take part in the forum.
Ms McIntosh said supporting services like this are crucial in early intervention and recovery for young people experiencing addiction or significant mental health issues.
“The Morrison Government has provided funding to Wentworth Healthcare who has commissioned the delivery of early intervention services addressing alcohol and other drugs and mental health issues for young people and the Minister and I look forward to seeing the benefits of this firsthand,” she said.
Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said she is excited to bring this innovative youth service to Penrith and was honoured to be part of the Lindsay Healthy Active Network.
Nicola Barton
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Nicola Barton is a news journalist with the Western Weekender, primarily covering crime and politics.