headspace welcomes $51.8m boost in government funding

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement for expanding headspace services with an additional $51.8 million in funding.

$39 million has been allocated towards services and staff, with the remaining $12.8 million earmarked for digital portal eheadspace. This means that young people will have access to nearly 14,000 additional services, shorter wait times and extra clinical staff.

The additional investment is on top of the $95.7 million per year already committed by the Government to the national network of 107 headspace centres throughout the country. 

Jason Trethowan, CEO, headspace says, “With increasing rates of distress being reported by young people it has never been more important to boost the capacity of headspace services on the ground and online. When support is accessed in early stages of distress, young people are best placed to recover quickly and learn lifelong coping strategies. This investment strengthens headspace core services to ensure more young people can access support tailored to their needs.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says, “Our government understands the huge mental health challenge facing many Australians, particularly young Australians. Around 560,000 children and adolescents are estimated to have mental illness, and one in four young Australians experience it in any given year. We want young people to know they are not alone on their journey, and that we’re backing quality frontline support.”

For media enquiries please contact:

Suzanne La Fontaine, headspace Media & Communications Manager: slafontaine@headspace.org.au 0438 278 000