Young people in Far North Queensland will soon have greater access to free mental health support with headspace Cairns set to be expanded.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP, and Member for Leichardt, Matt Smith MP, made the announcement in Cairns today.
The Albanese Labor Government is providing headspace Cairns more than $977,000 in headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Funding to reduce wait times and deliver low-intensity interventions.
headspace Cairns is also set to be uplifted to a headspace Plus, boosting funding and increasing capacity for more complex and ongoing mental health needs.
headspace provides a safe and welcoming space for young people to access support and care across four key areas – mental health, physical and sexual health, work and study, and alcohol and other drug services.
There are currently 175 headspace services nationally, with a commitment to expand to 203 locations.
In the last year, headspace Cairns supported 1,267 young people, including providing 6,068 occasions of care.
headspace Cairns is funded by the Albanese Labor Government, commissioned by the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and operated by the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
For young people who prefer online support, eheadspace is available at: www.headspace.org.au or by phoning 1800 650 890.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“headspace Cairns is an important place where young Far North Queenslanders can access mental health support and care.
“As part of our significant investment in youth mental health, headspace Cairns will soon be uplifted to headspace Plus, to meet growing need and complexity.
“From the city to the bush, the Albanese Labor Government is delivering more youth mental health support services, closer to home.”
Quotes attributable to Matt Smith, Member for Leichardt:
“headspace Cairns has proven consistently to be an essential pillar of support for the younger population of Cairns and Leichhardt.
“From the lockdowns of covid to devastating cyclones and global uncertainty, our younger population have had to adapt to a complex and challenging environment in ways that older generations did not.
“headspace's increased funding and upgrade to a Headspace Plus means they will be well supported by the Albanese Labor Government to increase visitation and the extent of their important therapeutic work."