It is a privilege to join you all today. And thank you so much, Jason, for the introduction and the video montage.
I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of this land, the Jagera and the Turrbal peoples. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people here today. I also want to acknowledge anyone with a lived experience of mental health challenges.
It is an absolute pleasure to be here today. The 2026 headspace theme, Growing Together, feels especially fitting with headspace now the world’s largest national network of youth mental health services. This year’s forum has delivered a range of sessions with a focus on supporting young people from many different communities, backgrounds, and with many different experiences.
It’s a focus that aligns with our Government’s commitment to supporting a diverse, multicultural and thriving Australia. We firmly believe that every person contributes to the richness of Australian life. We value and respect people of all faiths, cultures, identities and communities. And we seek to bring people together through a shared sense of belonging, something that sits at the heart of headspace.
Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the diversity of young people accessing headspace services. Today, 12 per cent identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, 13 per cent as culturally and linguistically diverse, and 28 per cent as LGBTIQA+. These are important figures. They show that more young people are seeking support and, critically, that more young people feel safe and welcome when they do.
Our goal is simple but vital – to make sure that wherever a young person lives and whatever their circumstances, they can access the support they need. Support that helps them navigate challenges, to cope when times are hard, to feel safe, connected and to know that they belong. At the centre of achieving this is meaningful engagement.
Since being appointed Assistant Minister in June 2022 – as you’ve seen on the video – I’ve had the privilege of visiting headspace services across Australia in cities, in regional towns and in some of the most remote parts of Australia. At every visit, I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to listen to young people, to hear their stories and experiences, to speak with families and the dedicated staff who support them every day. And I can say without hesitation, those conversations have been invaluable. They’ve shaped my understanding, informed my decisions and reinforced what matters most.
Across each visit, I’ve been struck by the depth of commitment within the headspace network, and I can feel it in the room today. The compassion, the advocacy – the clinical expertise and the powerful role of lived experience. I’ve met with reference groups, centre managers, commissions, community leaders, families and Elders, and there is always a shared sense of pride in the role that headspace plays. I’ve also seen firsthand the difference it’s making in the lives of young Australians.
But that impact would not be possible without you – your openness, your dedication, your commitment to improving the services and experiences of others. Because of your input and your ideas, headspace continues to evolve. You’ve improved access to services including outreach and partnerships with local schools, expanding digital supports, focusing on work and study programs, tele-psychiatry, career mentoring, and strengthening the role of lived experience, recognising that for many young people the first step in seeking help is speaking to someone who truly understands. Importantly, headspace reduces barriers to access, making services easier to access for free and close to home.
But while we’ve made significant progress we know, as you do, that there’s more to do. When headspace was first established 20 years ago, around one in five young people experienced mental health challenges each year. Today, that figure has doubled. But it’s more than a number – it’s your friend, your family member, your colleague. And it’s a stark reminder that the challenges facing young people are growing, so we must grow too. The drivers of distress are complex and the way young people seek help is changing, and the kind of support they need is changing.
While the headspace model has proven effective for many, we know that accessible mental health care is still out of reach of some young Australians. That’s why we need to continue to adapt, to evolve and to innovate. And importantly, we’ve looked to young people themselves to guide that work. You told us you want care that is person-centred, inclusive and grounded in your communities.
You told us we must address the broader factors that shape mental health and wellbeing, including housing, connection, education, employment and other social determinants. And you told us there is no one-size-fits-all approach, because the challenges facing communities differ across the country.
I saw that firsthand just last week in Katherine, in the Northern Territory, visiting the local headspace following the devastating floods in March. What I heard there was clear – the issues facing young people in Katherine are different from those in Alice Springs, in Tennant Creek and in Darwin, let alone elsewhere across Australia.
You highlight the importance of a diverse, trauma-informed workforce strengthened by lived experience. You also spoke about the strong foundations already in place including early intervention, warm entry points, mental health literacy and school-based programs.
But you were also clear that there are gaps. Gaps for young people who need longer-term or more intensive support, and a need to better connect with young people where they live, work and spend their time while strengthening prevention in mental health promotion. We have listened and we are taking action.
The Government has made an historic investment in mental health and suicide prevention. More than $1.1 billion election commitment with around $750 billion focused specifically on children and young people. We’re expanding and strengthening the headspace network by 2028-29 – there’ll be more of you in this room – and it will grow to more than 200 services including significant expansion in regional and rural communities.
We’re establishing a new National Institute for Youth Mental Health, making sure Australia remains at the forefront of research and innovation. And we’re introducing a new network of youth specialist care centres, building on the success of the Early Psychosis and YES programs. And we’re investing in innovation through headspace Plus, providing more staff, more services and more supports for the growing needs of young people today.
Crucially, these models are being designed with young people and will continue to evolve with your input. I want to acknowledge the young people here today representing youth reference groups and national advisory bodies. Your voices are shaping decisions, priorities and outcomes across the network and around the country. Building mental health services that young people trust begins with listening, and that commitment must continue from start to finish.
Our Government is determined to make sure that every young Australian is supported throughout their journey, no matter where they choose to live. And we are proud that 91 per cent of young people would recommend headspace and that 73 per cent of parents recognise it as a vital community service. Together we can continue to build a future with young people for young people.
Thank you for inviting me to be part of this important event, and thank you personally for making me so welcome when I visited your headspace centres in the cities, in the country towns and the most remote parts of Australia. Those visits mean so much to me. The generosity and the kindness that you’ve shown me, and your openness, have really helped to shape decisions that we’re making.
And to work alongside you is one of the real privileges of my role. And I just want to thank everyone who has contributed to making this forum such a success. I look forward to celebrating your achievements at the headspace Showcase Awards.
Thank you and congratulations, everyone.
