The Australian Government is expanding access to free mental health care in Western Australia, with a major upgrade to services in Perth's east and a brand-new centre for Perth's growing northern suburbs.
Young people and families in Midland and the City of Wanneroo will soon have greater access to free mental health support closer to home, with Headspace Midland set to be upgraded and a new headspace centre to be delivered in Wanneroo.
The existing headspace Midland centre, which has already delivered approximately 9,000 free appointments to local young people, will be upgraded to a headspace Plus centre, delivering enhanced support for those with more severe and complex mental health needs.
As one of the first 10 headspace services in the country to transition to the new model of care, the Australian Government will deliver a new larger centre for headspace in Midland, expand the workforce of mental health professionals and increase the centre's capacity to support young people and families.
A new headspace centre will also be established in the City of Wanneroo, bringing free mental health support to one of Perth's fastest-growing communities.
The service will support young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing anxiety, depression, psychological distress and other mental health challenges, making it easier to access care when it's needed most.
Both headspace Plus Midland and headspace Wanneroo are expected to open in the next financial year.
headspace is Australia's leading youth mental health service and now the world's largest youth mental health network, with 176 centres operating nationwide.
The Australian Government has committed more than $211.5 million to deliver 56 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services across Australia, including upgrading 30 centres to the headspace Plus model and expanding the network to more than 200 locations.
For young people who prefer digital support eheadspace provides free online and telephone support, making sure help is available wherever they live.
For more information, visit www.headspace.org.au or call 1800 650 890.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:
“Around two in five young Australians experience mental health challenges every year, which is why early access to support is so important.
“The upgrade of headspace Midland and the establishment of a new headspace centre in Wanneroo will help more young people access free mental health care in their local community.
“The Albanese Labor Government is expanding access to free mental health services across Western Australia, ensuring more young people can get support early, before their mental health challenges become more serious.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Hasluck, Tania Lawrence MP:
“I think most of us know a young person who, at some point, has struggled and needed someone to talk to.
"Headspace in Midland has provided a trusted and much loved listening ear and support for young people across Hasluck and beyond.
"Now, to be delivering this investment to expand Headspace into Headspace Plus will mean services are even easier to access when young people's needs become more complex".
"It’s about making sure a young person who is doing it tough can walk through the door and know: someone is here to help me.
"Sitting alongside the Midland Kids Mental Health Hub and Midland Medicare Mental Health Centre for adults, the Albanese Labor Government's practical investment in mental health care is delivering services for all ages and needs in Hasluck".
Quotes attributable to Member for Pearce, Tracey Roberts MP:
"The City of Wanneroo is one of Perth's largest and fastest-growing communities, and it's important our young people have mental health support close to home."
"For years, families in Pearce have had to travel to headspace Joondalup, one of the busiest centres in WA, just to access this kind of support."
"This new centre means young people and families in Pearce will finally have somewhere local to turn to, while also taking pressure off headspace Joondalup."
"This is Community First, backing our growing region with the services it needs, now and into the future."