A new paper published today has recognised headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation as a leader in the global response to the growing challenge of mental ill-health among young people.

Penned by more than 50 global experts in youth mental health sector, the Lancet paper recommends “[investment] in cost-effective models of youth mental health care in high-resource settings, specifically early intervention for psychosis and integrated, enhanced primary care platforms such as headspace”. 

headspace was established in 2006 to provide easy-to-access early intervention mental health supports to young people aged 12 to 25. The organisation also provides physical and sexual health services, educational and vocational support, alcohol and other drugs services, and integrated digital support. The model has since been emulated around the world.

headspace Acting CEO Vikki Ryall said the organisation is seeing more young people present with serious and complex mental ill-health needs.

“Adolescence and early adulthood have always been challenging times for young people. But recent phenomena, including the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis and increased prevalence of climate-related natural disasters, are profound disruptions that have compounded these challenges,” Ms Ryall said.  

“That’s why the role of headspace has never been more important, and why we welcome continued government investment in and bipartisan support of our services and services like ours – so we can get help to more young people earlier.

“Young people, their families and their communities know and trust headspace to support them through tough times. Often that’s through our network of 162 headspace centres across Australia. For many young people, our online offerings, including online and phone counselling service eheadspace, are a vital support.

“Independent reviews have shown that headspace is a fit-for-purpose and cost-effective approach to early intervention youth mental health care – and one that sees young people experience significant improvements in their mental health and wellbeing. 

“We look forward to working with government on reviews of headspace’s governance and funding models to pave a sustainable future for our organisation that makes it possible to respond to the changing needs of young people and their communities.

Report co-author and Chief Scientific Advisor to headspace, Professor Debra Rickwood, said:  “The report, which is authored by the leading experts in youth mental health internationally, provides strong support for the headspace model.”

The paper also calls out the need for young people to participate in the development of services.

“headspace has been centring the voices of young people for now almost 18 years in recognition that young people are experts in their own mental health journeys,” Ms Ryall said.

“Young people have a voice at every level of headspace, from the local centre to the Board, and their lived experiences inform the services we provide.”