By Laura Michell
Young people with mental health concerns or substance misuse issues will be able to get help closer to home, with a headspace to formally launch in the area from the middle of next year.
April’s federal budget included funding for a satellite headspace centre for Whittlesea for four years.
The centre will provide free and confidential services for young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, and will also be able to help with physical health and alcohol and other drugs misuse.
The Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network is working with service providers to set up the centre and hopes to co-locate headspace with other services.
EMPHN chief executive Robyn Whyte said there was a need for better access to mental health services in the Whittlesea area.
“Youth unemployment, substance misuse issue, a concentration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and relative socio-economic disadvantage are all contributing factors,” she said.
“Whittlesea is also one of the areas most affected by suicide in our catchment, which is why it is one of two place-based suicide prevention trial sites in our community.”
Victorian Liberal Senator James Paterson encouraged young people who need help to reach out to services including Youth Projects and YFlex at Mill Park’s EDGE Youth Services.
“There is a growing awareness of the mental health challenges young people are facing. It’s important that young people who are struggling reach out, so they can get the help and support that they need,” he said.
