Llew O’Brien secures $1.5 million for new Maryborough headspace service

15/3/2019

Llew O’Brien secures $1.5 million for new Maryborough headspace service

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today announced a new headspace service for Maryborough, providing teenagers and young adults with access to free or low cost youth mental health services close to home.

“I’ve worked with the community, local schools, the Primary Health Network and Minister for Health Greg Hunt to secure a $1.5 million injection of funds to deliver a new headspace service in Maryborough,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“headspace has a proven track of improving the mental wellbeing of young people and we can all look forward to the positive difference the service will make in the lives of young people in Maryborough.
 
“This new headspace service will save lives, help end the stigma associated with mental illness, and assist young people in Maryborough to access the help they need to live a happy and fulfilling life.
 
“headspace provides a bright, safe and welcoming environment, and delivers a range of services to boost mental and physical health, provide advice on drug and alcohol prevention, and offers social and vocational support.
 
“The headspace programs will give young people in Maryborough access to the best possible youth-friendly mental health services to help them stay healthy, and lead full and contributing lives.
 
“It is vital that young people have a place to turn when they are experiencing mental health issues or related life problems. headspace is proven and effective, helping them through the real life issues they may face in mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug use, and school or work,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“I’m pleased to be part of the Liberal Nationals Government team, which continues to deliver the vital services that matter to Australians because we can be trusted to maintain the strong economy needed to fund them.”
 
The Morrison Government will provide $400,000 to set up the new headspace site in Maryborough, and $380,000 a year for three years to operate the service.
 
The Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network (PHN), which is responsible for mental health services in the region, will receive the extra funding for the headspace satellite service.

The new headspace service will be a subsidiary of the existing headspace centre in Hervey Bay, and will build on existing youth-focussed supports in the area.
 
headspace is the Government’s preferred model for youth mental health service delivery. It provides mental health services and related support for young people aged 12 to 25 years who are experiencing, or at risk of, mild to moderate mental illness.
 
One in four young Australians aged 16 to 24 years experiences mental ill-health in any given year and three quarters of all mental illness first manifests in people under the age of 25.  Intervention at an early stage is important to reduce the duration and impact of mental health conditions.
 
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the Liberal National Government continues to expand the headspace network, as part of our ongoing commitment to improving mental health services for all Australians.
 
“Since October the Morrison Government has announced an additional $200 million for the national network of headspace centres and the digital portal, eheadspace, to ensure that young people will have access additional services, shorter wait times and extra clinical staff,” Minister Hunt said.
 
“This is in addition to the approximately $100 million in funding headspace services receive each year to improve the mental health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of young Australians.”
 
Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals. We are prioritising better mental health for all Australians with $4.7 billion expected to be spent on mental health this financial year.
 
The new headspace satellite service is expected to open within 12 months.

ENDS