NICK RHEINBERGER, ABC ILLAWARRA: But for now, though, it's a special day with the official opening of Headspace in Kiama. And they’ll be getting a special visit not only from the Member for Gilmore, but the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, who joins us now here at 97.3 ABC Illawarra Mornings. Emma McBride, G’day.
ASSISTANT MINISTER EMMA MCBRIDE: Good morning, Nick. Good to be with you.
RHEINBERGER: Would you agree with many of the experts that I've spoken to that we have a mental health crisis amongst our young people at the moment?
MCBRIDE: We've seen in Australia, Nick, an increase of mental distress amongst young people. When headspace was first established in 2007. Any given year, about 25 per cent of young people expressed mental distress. That's now increased to close to 40 per cent. So what the experts are saying is reflected in people's experiences in classrooms, in playgrounds, in communities right around the country.
RHEINBERGER: And how far do you think headspace has gone in those years to addressing that?
MCBRIDE: Now we have a network of 163 headspaces with the official opening of headspace Kiama later today, and we’re investing in strengthening and expanding the network to make sure that it meets the needs of young people today. Headspace works across four central areas: mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs, work and study. So really critical areas in important times in young people's lives, particularly those aged 12 to 25.
RHEINBERGER: You probably know, as you're heading to Kiama, that there was a terrible series of young people's suicide there in the last couple of years. How does headspace address those feelings of suicidality?
MCBRIDE: What headspace can provide is, for a young person, a place where they're welcome, a safe place where they can be supported by a counsellor, by someone with their own direct experience. So headspace can provide wraparound support and care to help a young person in distress before they end up in crisis. And I want to acknowledge the advocacy of the local community, including the Federal Member Fiona Phillips, in responding to the tragic circumstances, in making sure that there are strengthened services and more services available to young people in the Illawarra, and particularly in Kiama.
RHEINBERGER: Imagine someone's never been – what sort of experience would they get? What would they offer?
MCBRIDE: So, if someone needs to walk into headspace Kiama, they’re likely to be greeted by someone with their own personal experience, a peer worker. And sometimes the best support you can get is from someone who's walked in your shoes. Depending on the young person and their needs, they might then be connected with a counsellor or a psychologist to have either a single session of support, or maybe more ongoing support and care, depending on their needs.
RHEINBERGER: All right. Emma McBride, good to talk to you today. Thanks very much.
MCBRIDE: Good to be with you, Nick.
RHEINBERGER: That's Emma McBride, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. And we know that headspace has been opened unofficially for a little while, but it's being opened officially today by Emma McBride alongside Fiona Phillips, Member for Gilmore.