The City of Casey is facing a health challenge that is outpacing much of Victoria. 19 per cent of adults here report high or very high levels of psychological distress, compared with 15 per cent across the state and around 13 per cent nationally. More than 58 per cent of residents are overweight or obese, a figure above the Victorian average of 50 per cent and the national average of 55 per cent (Victorian Population Health Survey, 2020). Only half meet recommended physical activity levels, and fewer than one in ten consume the five daily serves of vegetables outlined in national dietary guidelines (City of Casey, 2021 Health and Wellbeing Strategy).
Behind these numbers are real people struggling to get the help they need. Consider Sam, a 17-year-old student from Narre Warren. During the pandemic, Sam began experiencing anxiety and depression that affected school attendance and friendships. Earlier this year, when the symptoms worsened, Sam’s family tried to access the local mental health and wellbeing hub in Narre Warren. They found it had closed. The service had been relocated to Dandenong, more than 15 kilometres away. For a young person without reliable transport, that distance became a barrier to care. “It’s like you finally work up the courage to get help, and then the door is shut,” Sam’s mother says. “We tried the GP, but the wait for a psychologist was months.”
Sam’s story reflects a broader gap in services for the “missing middle”. This term refers to people whose needs are too complex for standard GP care yet not acute enough for hospital-based psychiatric services. The absence of accessible, local mental health options forces residents to travel or go without, which increases the risk of conditions worsening. While this example focuses on youth mental health, the same access issues ripple through other areas of care, from rehabilitation services to chronic disease management.
Physical health trends in Casey compound the problem. While 15 per cent of residents improved their diet and 26 per cent increased physical activity during the pandemic, many still live with preventable conditions. In the meantime, services that could help bridge the gap, whether it is a local medical clinic, physiotherapist, remedial massage or reputable chiropractor care, often operate on the margins of public health planning.
Safety and social connection also play a part. 85 per cent of Casey residents feel safe walking alone during the day, but that figure drops to 55 per cent after dark. This change affects behaviour. People avoid evening classes, walking groups and after-hours wellness services, all of which are known to improve both physical and mental health.
If Casey is to improve its health outcomes, the solution will not come from a single program. It will require a network of accessible, connected services that make healthy choices easy and care pathways clear. Sports facilities like Casey Fields and community events such as parkrun keep people moving. Timely access to recovery options like targeted massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments help them stay mobile and pain free. Affordable and local mental health services make it possible for people like Sam to get help before reaching crisis point.
The blueprint for a healthier Casey is already outlined in council strategies and state health reports. The question now is whether decision makers, providers and the community will close the gaps quickly enough to meet the growing demand and ensure that no one else faces a closed door when they are finally ready to seek help.