headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation welcomes the Federal Government’s Budget commitments to young people and their mental health by pledging to expand the headspace centre network.

Combined with announcements from the May 2022 Federal Budget, this week’s $23.5 million commitment to headspace means new sites are now set to be established in:

• Victoria: Box Hill, Hamilton, Armstrong Creek and South Melbourne
• New South Wales: Edmondson Park, Shellharbour, Narellan, Hawkesbury, Ballina
• Queensland: Bribie Island, Caloundra, North Brisbane
• Tasmania: Eastern Shore

Federal Government commitment to these communities means over the coming years 170 headspace centres and satellite services will be open to young people.

headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said the Budget was recognition of the important role headspace plays in supporting the mental health and wellbeing needs of young Australians.

“These Budget commitments follow the release of an independent evaluation demonstrating headspace is a cost-effective and well-designed service aligned to the needs of young people,” Mr Trethowan said.

“The events of the past few years mean demand for headspace services is growing, and this investment will enable us to reach even more young people – when and where they most need help.”

headspace also welcomes the commitment from Government to establish a new youth engagement model, including an Office for Youth to amplify young people’s voices in policy making.

“At headspace, we understand that young people are the experts in their own mental health journey, so it is encouraging to see the Federal Government seek to explore new ways to engage with young people when it comes to decisions that affect them,” Mr Trethowan said.