Major boost for headspace services in Longman

The Federal Government is providing $593,210 for headspace services in the Longman electorate.

It is part of a $26 million investment to ensure young people can access mental health services where and when they need them.

Federal Member for Longman Terry Young welcomed the grant, which he said will ensure better social and health outcomes for young locals.

High demand

“Headspace Caboolture has been experiencing high demand for services and this funding will help them expand their services and improve access to high quality, youth friendly and mental health support,” Mr Young said.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said: “Many young people have also been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it more important than ever to ensure access to youth mental health services.

“The funding reinforces our government’s strong commitment achieving better mental health for all Australians and will complement our record investment of $6.5 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services in 2021-22.”

Friendly support

With one in four Australians affected by mental health illness each year, headspace provides free or low cost youth-friendly support in mental health, related physical health, substance misuse, and social and vocational support.

40 headspaces services located in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory will benefit from grants of up to $1.8 million each.

The grants are part of the Government’s $152 million investment in the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program, to reduce wait times and make capital improvements.

Over the next four years from 2021-22, the Government is investing $873.2 million in the national headspace network, this includes $758.2 million for the establishment of new services ongoing service delivery and enhancement of existing services.

Help available

Anyone experiencing distress can get advice and support from headspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), Lifeline (13 11 14), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au).

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