headspace a step closer to expanding services

Thousands of young people and their families are a step closer to receiving the support they need with Parliament today passing a motion that would see cash injected into new and existing headspace centres.

headspace CEO Chris Tanti said the Federal Parliament has flagged its support to increase funding that will significantly boost the organisations capacity to deliver its important early intervention work.

"If this motion is translated into real action we will see up to 90 headspace centres across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia," Mr Tanti said.

"Early intervention is a national priority and support from Parliament demonstrates that the work we do is integral to the mental health of an entire generation of Australians.

"It's a significant step in the right direction to reduce the estimated 750,000 young Australians whose mental health needs are currently not being met.

"Until this intent is a reality headspace will continue to work hard to ensure the health and wellbeing of young Australians remains high on the national agenda," Mr Tanti said.
headspace currently has 30 centres operating nationally. The Federal Government, in the May Federal Budget, announced funding to open ten new centres in 2011.

What is a headspace centre?

• headspace centres offer health advice, support and information for young people (12-25 years)
• A place where young people can receive help with mental health, physical health, education, work and drug and alcohol concerns
• The centres are staffed by GPs, Allied Health, mental health, youth workers and drug and alcohol workers who have specific expertise in working with young people
• headspace services are low cost or free
• Since opening our doors, 35,000 young people have accessed headspace services.

headspace media contact:
Dave Bell
Tel: 03 9027 0127
Mob: 0413 025 385
Email: dbell@headspace.org.au