Mandurah’s youth will now be able to access vital mental health and wellbeing support with headspace Mandurah opening last week.
On the corner of Dower Street and Pinjarra Road, headspace Mandurah will provide 12 to 25-year-olds with early intervention mental health, physical health, work and study support, and alcohol and other drug services.
The centre will operate from this location on a temporary basis before relocating to its permanent home within the new Peel Health Hub, towards the end of 2018.
headspace chief executive Jason Trethowan said headspace Mandurah would support and promote the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the region.
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“It is testament to the vital work carried out by headspace as the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, and the confidence invested in our services, that the community rallied tirelessly for this centre,” Mr Trethowan said.
“This centre is for young people, and by young people, and we look forward to seeing this grow and develop in the community.”
In May 2017 the Federal Government agreed to deliver and fund a headspace in Mandurah following advocacy by Canning MP Hastie and a petition with more than 3000 local signatures.
Mr Hastie said that headspace would play an important role in combating youth mental health issues in Mandurah and the Peel region.
“The Mandurah community rallied, and together we secured a headspace for our region,” Mr Hastie said.
“I commend everyone who added their name to the petitions. I also thank the Health Minister, the Hon Greg Hunt, for listening to Mandurah.
“Since 2015 I’ve been working to deliver better health services in the Peel region, to help combat issues like drug abuse and youth suicide.
“headspace Mandurah will stand alongside other initiatives like the Peel Youth Medical Service (PYMS) Health Hub, which the federal government is helping deliver, and the Community Drug Action Forums I’ve been running around the region.”
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 years each year.
Research shows that 75 per cent of mental health issues emerge before the age of 25.
Services like headspace can be 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.
Mark Slattery, chief executive for 360 Health + Community who will operate the centre, said they were privileged to be able to support the delivery of this service which puts young people front and centre in their own care.
“We’ve been working with our newly recruited headspace Mandurah Youth Reference Group to ensure the centre and service are youth friendly and welcoming,” he said.
Young people can be referred by their GP, a mental health professional, or by self-referral.
headspace Mandurah is at unit 10, 3 Dower Street.
For more information on the services available, email hello@headspaceman.com.au