A new headspace centre in Wonthaggi has officially opened today, welcoming a new chapter for youth mental health in Bass Coast and South Gippsland.

Local young people, community leaders, consortium partners and the Hon. Minister Russell Broadbent MP will be among the guests at today’s opening.

headspace Wonthaggi is a full service centre that commenced delivering services on 2 January 2019. It supports young people across Bass Coast and South Gippsland, including through four outposts at youth clinics in Foster, Leongatha, Korumburra and Cowes.

headspace CEO, Jason Trethowan said that headspace Wonthaggi is extending the important early intervention work of headspace around the country.

“headspace is helping thousands of young people across Australia who are going through a tough time,” Mr Trethowan said.

“Since headspace was established in 2006, over 440,000 young people have visited a headspace centre across Australia and we know that headspace Wonthaggi will play an important role in what headspace will achieve in the future in the critical area of youth mental health and wellbeing.”

Centre Operator at Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV), Dr Bickerdike, said that RAV had an established presence in Gippsland and was looking forward to increasing youth mental health services in the area.

“RAV has a long history of providing services in Gippsland and providing mental health services, including at headspace Bairnsdale. We’re proud to now be leading a consortium of local organisations to deliver headspace Wonthaggi’s services,” Dr Bickerdike said.

Following the official proceedings, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new centre and chat with headspace staff and members of the Youth Advisory Group about the new centre and its services.

headspace Wonthaggi Centre Manager, Ms Cate Chaiyot, said that the local community in Wonthaggi, as well as wider communities across Bass Coast and South Gippsland, had already embraced the new headspace services with open arms.

“It’s great to see not only young people but community members of all ages welcoming headspace. We’ve already supported lots of young people and we invite all young people, and their friends and family to contact us and have a chat about how we can help,” Ms Chayiot said.

For media enquiries please contact: Stephanie Fonti, headspace Communications Coordinator on 0413 025 385 or  sfonti@headspace.org.au.