21 June 2021
As part of the Morrison Government’s 2021-22 Budget we’re investing $4 million to expand headspace services in Lake Haven, ensuring that young people in the area can access mental health services where and when they need them.
One in four young Australians are affected by a mental illness every year. 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.
In the 2021-22 Budget the Government is investing $278.6 million to expand and enhance the national headspace network and has committed to upgrade five headspace satellites to full headspace centres as part of this investment.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said headspace offers a safe, welcoming place where young people can get non-judgmental professional help and peer support, so they can tackle their challenges in a way that is right for them.
“Headspace provides free or low cost youth-friendly primary mental health services with a single entry point to holistic care in four key areas—mental health, related physical health, substance misuse, and social and vocational support,” Minister Hunt said.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said he was pleased to see the expansion of headspace satellites to ensure these services can provide services to young Australians affected by a mental health illness every year.
“These investments will ensure better social and health outcomes for young Australians, giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential in life, “Assistant Minister Coleman said.
Senator for New South Wales, Jim Molan, said the upgrade to the headspace satellite in Lake Haven was very welcome and would provide great benefits to local young people aged 12 to 25 years, and their families.
“I am delighted that Lake Haven will very soon have its own headspace centre offering the full range of services and opening hours,” Mr Wilson said.
“This investment is part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to improve mental health services in New South Wales and across the nation.”
The funding reinforces our Government’s strong commitment achieving better mental health for all Australians, and will complement the existing investment of $6.5 billion in mental health services in 2021-22.
The Lake Haven service opened as a satellite service from headspace Gosford in 2015. The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, which commissions headspace services, will receive $4 million over four years from 2021-22 for the upgrade
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through 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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