New Headspace Outpost for Mount Isa

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PDF printable version of New Headspace Outpost for Mount Isa (PDF 21 KB)

24 October 2011

Young people living in Mount Isa are to get better, local access to mental health care and related drug and alcohol services.

As announced by the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, at CHOGM in Perth today, a new headspace outpost will be established in Mount Isa.

The Gillard Government is investing more than $197 million to expand the number of headspace sites to 90, ensuring national coverage. This brings the Government’s total investment in headspace services to $359 million.

Improving mental health services for young people in Mount Isa was raised as a key priority at a community forum held last month and attended by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler.

“It’s important that young people living with mental illness, or at risk of mental illness get the care and support they need, no matter where they live,” Mr Butler said.

“We know that mental health and suicide are major social issues for young people living in rural and regional communities, like Mount Isa.

“Young people in rural and remote communities can face higher unemployment and lack of job opportunities, as well as lack of opportunities for social interaction.These are real economic and social pressures which can affect their sense of wellbeing and their mental health.

“There is also the issue of access to services, which can often mean a drive of hours to reach available mental health services.

“Mount Isa has a relatively large population of young people so youth-specific mental health services are particularly important.

“The new outpost will improve the access of local young people aged between 12 and 25 to mental health care and related drug and alcohol services.”

Locations like Mount Isa face unique challenges including distance from traditional headspace centres, remoteness and health workforce issues.

The outpost site will be able to utilise and build on headspace Townsville’s expertise and understanding of the key challenges facing the area.

Headspace will work with local organisations including schools, existing health services and youth services to explore how this outpost will operate to best improve care and support for young people.

The new site has been chosen in conjunction with headspace, and in consultation with the Queensland Government on the basis of community need, youth populations, access to existing services and local capacity.

As well, headspace is to go online – with a new 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