The Coalition Government is investing $24.2 million to reduce wait times - fast tracking access to mental health services for young people aged 12–25 seeking headspace appointments, including at Tamworth.
Headspace provides access to 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.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the investment would ensure young Australians could get information, advice, understanding, counselling and treatment, when and where they need it.
“Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Government’s highest priorities, especially here in rural and regional Australia,” Mr Joyce said.
“That’s why organisations like headspace are so important in the New England, providing a place where young people can get professional help, peer support and feel comfortable enough to tackle their challenges in a way that is right for them.”
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on young Australians.
“One in four young Australians are affected by a mental health illness every year, and as we battle COVID-19 it’s more important than ever that we prioritise mental health,” Minister Hunt said.
“Funding will go to Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and headspace National.”
Prior to the pandemic, headspace service centres were experiencing high demand across the country.
Individual grants of up to $2 million will improve facilities, access and reduce waiting times at headspace services commissioned by PHNs.
The headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program is an investment of $152 million over seven years from 2018-19 by the Federal Government to reduce wait times at headspace services.
The headspace services which will receive funding through this grant opportunity are:
|
State/Territory |
headspace Service |
|
New South Wales |
Bankstown, Bondi Junction, Camperdown, Dubbo, Griffith, Hurstville, Lismore, Lithgow, Liverpool, Maitland, Miranda, Nowra, Orange, Penrith, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong |
|
Victoria |
Albury-Wodonga, Bairnsdale, Bendigo, Geelong, Greensborough, Shepparton, Werribee and Wonthaggi |
|
Queensland |
Bundaberg, Capalaba, Hervey Bay, Inala, Maroochydore, Nundah, Rockhampton, Southport, Townsville and Warwick |
|
South Australia |
Berri, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge and Port Augusta |
|
Tasmania |
Hobart and Launceston |
|
ACT |
Canberra |
Minister for Youth Senator Richard Colbeck said the funding demonstrated the Government’s firm commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians.
“Children, young people and their families have been identified as a vulnerable population in the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan,” Senator Colbeck said.
“We know this group will experience the impact of the social and economic outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic the most.”
Through record investments in mental health services and support, the Coalition Government will invest an estimated $5.2 billion this year alone.
Since the beginning of the year, our Government has provided $8 billion as part of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) National Health Plan, which is supporting primary care, aged care, hospitals, research and the national medical stockpile.
This includes an additional $500 million for mental health services and support, including $64 million for suicide prevention, $74 million for preventative mental health services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and $48 million to support the pandemic response plan.
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