Keith Pitt announces new headspace facility in Bundaberg

Tuesday, 7 October 2014

A new headspace centre, providing mental health services for young people, will be established in Hinkler.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today announced that Bundaberg will be one of 15 additional communities across Australia to receive a headspace facility.

Mr Pitt said the Bundaberg headspace would provide essential mental health services to young people aged between 12 and 25.

“It is our youth that have greatest prevalence of mental illness – more than any other age group – with three quarters of all mental illness presenting in people aged under 25 years,” Mr Pitt said.

“The onset of mental illness is typically around mid-to-late adolescence and headspace centres provide nationally coordinated support services to youth with mental health, drug or alcohol problems.

“This new headspace site will allow more young people in Hinkler to receive the help they need to fully recover or better manage their conditions and avoid serious and debilitating conditions later in life.

“Through this single entry point, young people can receive mental health services or be referred to other appropriate services.”

Each centre employs youth workers and mental health professionals who understand the issues facing young Australians.

“This Government made a commitment to provide more mental health services catering for the needs of young Australians, and we are delivering,” Mr Pitt said.

The headspace programme was established by the former Coalition Government in 2006 and the 15 new sites will bring the total number of headspace locations across Australia to 100, helping more than 80,000 young Australians each year.

The additional 15 centres will be established in stages over the next two years.

Mr Pitt encouraged local organisations to monitor the headspace website for the timing of the Expression of Interest process for the management of the new centre at www.headspace.org.au

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814

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