A New Headspace For The Upper Spencer Gulf
Young people in the Upper Spencer Gulf area are to get better, local access to mental health care and related drug and alcohol services.
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Joint Release
The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform
Senator Alex Gallacher
24 October 2011 Young people in the Upper Spencer Gulf area are to get better, local access to mental health care and related drug and alcohol services.
The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler and South Australian Senator, Alex Gallacher today welcomed the Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth that a new headspace site will be established in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
The Gillard Government is providing more than $197 million to triple the number of headspace sites to 90 Australia-wide, ensuring national coverage and the Upper Spencer Gulf is one of the selected sites.
"We know that mental health is single biggest health issue facing young Australians. It is estimated that one in four Australian families will be directly impacted by mental health,” Mr Butler said.
"It takes strength and courage to ask for help - these new headspace sites will give young people the help they need to get back on their feet and fulfil their potential.”
"I have campaigned with our community for better health services, particularly improved services for young people," Mr Gallcher said.
"Today's announcement is a huge win for the Upper Spencer Gulf community. Young people living in Spencer Gulf will be able to get the help and support that they need.
"Once established, the new headspace site will have an immediate impact helping on average between 1,000 -3,000 young people per year. It will quickly improve the access of local young people aged between 12 and 25 to mental health care and related drug and alcohol services."
The site has been chosen on advice in conjunction with headspace, and in consultation with the South Australian government on the basis of community need.
As well, headspace is to go online – with a new 24 hour national telephone and web-based support service starting from today. eheadspace will extend the reach of the model to more young people, particularly in harder to reach areas such as more regional and remote parts of Australia.
The new eheadspace service will provide free, confidential and anonymous counselling services to young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years with, or at risk of developing, a mild to moderate mental illness. It will also provide referrals to other appropriate services, including mental health, alcohol and drug, social and vocational services.
For more information, please contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7280
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