Youth mental health will get a $4M boost to expand Headspace services in Lake Haven, ensuring that young people can access mental health services where and when they need them.
In the 2021-22 Federal Budget, the Government is investing $278.6M 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.
Lake Haven is one of them.
However, in Federal Parliament in June, Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, asked Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, when the Headspace at Wyong would finally open.
“It’s been more than two years since the Government’s announcement,” she said.
“Young people are still waiting for the help they desperately need.
“It is of concern that there have been announcements in the previous two Budgets, that have not yet been implemented, given the urgency and growing unmet need.
“While announcements matter, delivery is what counts and young people, their families and caregivers in many communities are running out of time.
“I am regularly contacted by members on behalf of local people desperate to know when their promised Headspace will be up and running or expanded,” McBride said.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said Headspace offered a safe, welcoming place where young people could 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.
Senator for NSW representing the Dobell electorate, 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,” he said.
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 $4M over four years from 2021-22 for the upgrade.
Sue Murray