Funding means greater access for young people needing help

The State Government is improving access to essential mental health support for young people through a $17.1M investment in Kids Helpline.

The funding will allow greater access to free counselling services for Central Coast children and young people facing emotional distress or mental health challenges.

Community organisation yourtown, which operates Kids Helpline, will use the funding to recruit up to 28 additional full-time-equivalent counsellors based in NSW, providing greater access to the service in response to increasing demand.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said the investment would ensure that children and young people could continue to reach out and receive timely and accessible care.

“We know that young people living in NSW are the highest users of Kids Helpline, with more than 40,000 contacts from children and young people in NSW in 2023 alone,” Tesch said.

“This boost in funding will mean that Central Coast children and young people can have a place where they can express their feelings and feel listened to, whilst receiving age-appropriate counselling and support.

“This funding will also offer development opportunities for existing Kids Helpline staff, investing in a workforce that provides invaluable support to Central Coast young people.”

The funding will also upskill counsellors with additional practical skills to help them provide better support and strengthen the integration of Kids Helpline with local, area and statewide services across mental health, child protection, education, employment, and other social systems.

Kids Helpline manager Tony Fitzgerald said the funding would continue Kids Helpline’s critical role within the wellbeing and mental health system.

“The contribution will advance our work with up to 28 additional Kids Helpline counsellors being onboarded over the next four years to take meaningful action to improve support to NSW children and young people,” Fitzgerald said.

“We know that increasing counselling resources reduces the risk of suicide and will provide ongoing stability for the dedicated professional counsellor workforce who respond to calls, web chat conversations and email from young people.”

Tesch said the funding would ensure Central Coast children and young people had greater access to free counselling services.

“This is a great outcome for the children and young people on the Central Coast, ensuring there is a place for young people to ask for support whether it be relating to their mental health, family problems, personal challenges or emotional distress,” she said.

Since its establishment in 1991, Kids Helpline has responded to more than 8.5 million contacts across Australia.

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) operates 24/7 and provides age-appropriate online and phone counselling support for young people aged five to 25.