The Turnbull Government will establish a new headspace mental health service in Whyalla, South Australia to provide ongoing support to young people in the region.
This service will provide a welcome boost to local mental health services, in an area previously identified as being of high need.
Federal Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, said the Whyalla community will benefit from this new headspace.
“There are more pressures on young people today than ever before, and for some, life can become overwhelming,” Mr Ramsey said.
“The new headspace will offer services which will be a huge boost for young people seeking help in our community.
“Early intervention is absolutely critical to helping young people with mental health issues and the Whyalla headspace will deliver front-line services and coordinate the right interventions for at risk young people.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said Whyalla was the second location in Australia to receive one of ten new headspace youth mental health services.
“I am committed to ensuring that Australians can get information, advice, counselling or treatment, when and where they need it,” Minister Hunt said.
The Turnbull Government is investing an extra $28.9 million for ten new headspace services, in regional and rural communities, bringing the total number of centres to 110 by 2019.
headspace offers early intervention for 12 to 25 year olds in four key areas:
- mental health
- related physical health
- social and vocational support
- alcohol and other drug use
Whyalla headspace will now begin a planning phase with services expected to available within 12 months.
As a key element of the Turnbull Government’s mental health reforms, headspace centres and other Commonwealth-funded, regionally delivered mental health programs are now funded through Primary Health Networks.
Country South Australia Primary Health Network has been working closely with the community to assess local mental health needs, and commission services to meet the specific needs of the community.