Upgraded headspace for North

Young people across Tasmania’s North-West Coast can now rely on a reinforced mental health service, ensuring better access and support for those who need it most.

Devonport’s headspace service has been significantly upgraded as part of a $111.3 million funding commitment from the Australian Government to improve 30 centres across the country.

Minister for Youth, Richard Colbeck, said young people across Tasmania had been affected significantly by the impacts of COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever.

“Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Australian Government’s highest priorities,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The statistics are devastating, with one in four young Australians affected by a mental health illness every year. As COVID-19 continues to present challenges to our way of life, it’s more important than ever that we prioritise mental health.

“The upgrade to this vital centre ensures young Tasmanians get information, advice, understanding, counselling and treatment, when and where they need it,” Minister Colbeck said.

Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce, said young people in the local area were facing a number of challenges, and the upgraded service would provide a significant boost of support.

“There are more pressures on young people today than ever before, and this improvement to the local headspace is securing much-needed mental health services for young people in Devonport,” Gavin Pearce said.

“As a representative of the Devonport community, I want our young people to know they are not alone on their journey, and support is available.”

The headspace program is dedicated to improving access for young people aged 12 to 25 years who have, or are at risk of, mental illness.

headspace offers early intervention services across four key areas – mental health, related physical health, social and vocational support, and alcohol and other drug use.

Services provide tailored and holistic mental health support, working closely with young people at a crucial time in their lives to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.

Centres are co-designed with young people to ensure they are relevant, accessible and highly effective.

“headspace is here to deliver quality frontline support and coordinate the right interventions for young people at risk,” Minister Colbeck said.

“We know that intervention at the earliest possible stage is important to reduce the duration and impact of mental illness, so I encourage young people in our community to reach out for the help they need.

“The Australian Government continues to demonstrate its firm commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians, providing a record investment in mental health services and support of an estimated $5.7 billion this year alone”.

The new location of headspace Devonport at Level 1, 35 Oldaker Street, Devonport, has been commissioned by the Tasmania Primary Health Network to meet the needs of young people in Devonport.

/Media Release. View in full here.