Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey officially launched the new Port Lincoln Headspace today and said the facility will enable the region’s young people access to support through a wide range of services.
Mr Ramsey said the Government is investing $1.5 million into the project over four years, including $400,000 for the set up.
“I have been campaigning for this facility for some time and today to be here participating in its opening is a great thrill,” Mr Ramsey said.
“The support I have had from Port Lincoln and further abroad in securing the funding for the unit has been greatly appreciated. In particular, I thank Jo Clarke and the West Coast Youth team, Mentally Fit EP, Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, the Council and Chez Curnow and Kim Hoskins from the Country SA Primary Health Care Network who have all added their support to the project.
“I particularly would like to extend my thanks to thanks to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, who has been extremely supportive in extending the footprint of headspace in the Grey electorate. He is unable to attend today but, sends his best wishes.
“There are 110 headspace units in Australia now, four of them in Grey including the flying headspace out of Port Augusta, it’s a very good result and one that I intend to build on.
“While it has taken some time to get a building for this facility organised, it is now operating and providing services to its cliental.
“headspace will make a difference to young people in Port Lincoln, where I expect to reflect the national average of one in four young Australians currently experiencing a mental health condition.
“Like physical conditions, mental health conditions can be managed”, he said. “With the right support and treatment, young people can achieve their goals and enjoy life.
“The feedback I have received from the other units already operating has been fantastic.”
Headspace provides free or low-cost holistic care in person and online to young people aged 12 to 25 years in four key areas – mental health, related physical health, alcohol and other drug use, and social and vocational support.
Intervention at an early stage is important to reduce the duration and impact of mental health conditions which is why the Australian Government has expanded the headspace network.
All of the new services are in rural and regional areas, like Port Lincoln, where young people previously had little access to free or low-cost mental health support.
As a key part of the Australian Government’s mental health reforms, PHNs across Australia now have responsibility for providing federally funded primary level mental health services, including headspace, within their regions.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 86331744 Sept 10, 2020
