Launch of headspace Gympie
28 August 2018
Launch of headspace Gympie
This Tuesday, the Gympie community will gather to celebrate the official opening of the newest service tackling youth-specific mental health and early intervention services.
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien said Gympie’s headspace service will be a valued community resource and a critical first step in getting the right support at the right time, particularly when young people feel overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life.
“Early intervention can make a huge difference in reducing the impact and duration of mental illness, which affects one-in-four Australians aged between 16 and 24 each year.
“With more than 5,000 young people aged between 12 and 24, living within the Gympie local government area, the new headspace service will provide an important addition to the mental health support available locally,” Mr O’Brien said.
Centre Manager Deb Blakeney said the centre would make an impact on youth mental health and wellbeing and employment in the local Gympie community.
“We are really excited to be officially launching headspace Gympie, and to be able to showcase our new services and programs to the local community.
“headspace Gympie is a satellite service of our headspace Maroochydore Centre. We are starting with a small team and are also co-locating with some of our popular employment programs.
“We are also looking forward to having visiting services to the Centre, to enhance access to supports for young people.
“We will be able to assist young people in the community with mental health concerns, physical health, education support, as well as drug and alcohol counselling, and our training and employment programs.
“When a young person comes to see us, they can expect a confidential and professional service that caters to them with no judgment in a friendly environment.
“We are thankful to the support of the local community, including our Youth and Engagement Committee, Consortium partners, and the many local businesses and organisations who have supported us and helped make this happen.
“We are pleased to open the doors to our new headspace Gympie centre, and excited to invite the local community and media to come to our official launch,” Ms Blakeney said.
Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network CEO Pattie Hudson said the Federal Government funding to establish the centre to establish the service was a huge win for local mental health services.
“This new headspace Gympie satellite service has been a long time coming and we are delighted to be working with our community to improve mental health support for young people in Gympie and surrounding areas.
“Being able to reduce the barriers of both cost and time is a huge step forward when helping at risk young people,” Mrs Hudson said.
Media Opportunity
Who: Young people who are members of the headspace Gympie Youth Engagement Committee
Mr Llew O’Brien, Federal Member for Wide Bay
Mrs Pattie Hudson, CEO of Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN
Ms Helen Perry, Independent Chair of headspace Gympie
What: The official launch of headspace Gympie
When: 10am, Tuesday 28 August 2018
Where: 2-4 Horseshoe Bend, Gympie
The launch party will highlight the involvement of young people in the community, and will be held in marquees outside, with live music, food and green ice-cream for all to enjoy, as we celebrate the new service for the community. We will also have our United Synergies Army Gympie participants on-hand making free coffees.
This service is has been made possible through almost $720,000 worth of funding provided by the Australian Government under the PHN Program.
ENDS
