Mental healthcare access for young people has been improved in Western Victoria with the opening of a new headspace service. Photo: headspace/Facebook.
The State Government has opened a new youth mental health service in Hamilton, bringing better access to mental health care and support to young people in Western Victoria.
headspace Hamilton, at 48 Thompson Street, will help the growing number of young people who are aged between 12 and 15 and experiencing or at risk of mild/moderate mental health issues.
headspace is a welcoming, inclusive and youth-centred site with staff trained to help with mental health care, physical and sexual health care, and services relating to drug and alcohol issues and work/study.
“Mental health is essential to our health and wellbeing, and providing affordable, accessible mental health care is a key part of our government’s Medicare reforms,” Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride said.
“Many young people in regional Australia have until now found it especially difficult to get the mental health support they need. That is why we have delivered more headspace services in regional communities, like Hamilton.”
The service is operated by Brophy Family and Youth Services and receives Federal Government funding through the Western Victoria Primary Health Network.
There are 171 headspace services operating across the country, with commitments made to expand the network to 177 by 2026-2027.
In a move to boost Australia’s mental health workforce and ensure that young people can access the care they need, the Federal Government has provided $27.1 million to headspace’s Early Career Program (ECP), which supports 1500 students and 150 graduate placements in headspace services.
Assistant Minister for Social Security Kate Thwaites said: “I know how important it is for communities – and particularly local youth – to be connected to mental health services that are accessible and available when they need it.
“Our government understands the difference headspace makes in the lives of young people and their families, and that’s why we’re continuing to expand the network of youth mental health services across the country.”
Young people in Hamilton who prefer other support methods can visit the headspace website or call 1800 650 890.
