The Federal Government has announced it will invest $4 million to expand headspace services in Port Lincoln, ensuring young people in the area can access mental health services where and when they need them.
Federal Member for Grey said he is very pleased with the announcement.
“I have been a great supporter of headspace units in my electorate and advocated strongly for the facilities we have in Grey,” he said.
“In 2019 I announced a satellite headspace unit in Port Lincoln and now I am very pleased with the funding to expand Port Lincoln to a full headspace unit.
“I advocated for the expansion of services due to the isolated nature of populations across Grey and am pleased now there are units in Port Augusta, Whyalla and now a full service for Port Lincoln.
“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.
“The upgrade to the headspace satellite in Port Lincoln will provide great benefits to local young people aged 12 to 25 years, and their families offering the full range of services and opening hours.”
This investment is part of the Government’s commitment to improve mental health services in South Australia and across the nation.
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
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 Port Lincoln service opened as a satellite service from headspace Whyalla in July 2020. Country South Australia 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).
Media Contact- Leonie Lloyd-Smith 02 62774967
