Federal MP Andrew Gee has announced the creation of a headspace outreach service in Lithgow. He announced the $1.06 million in funding for a headspace centre in Lithgow on Thursday, February 1.
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“Obviously mental health has been a real concern for the Lithgow community in recent times and there has been some tragic cases of local people taking their lives. This has caused extreme anguish and pain in the community,” Mr Gee said.
“The community has come together to seek better health support for people with mental health issues. It’s a community effort.”
Headspace centres operate as a drop-in or by-appointment service that provides low cost face-to-face help for young people aged 12-25 with mental health, physical health, and drug and alcohol issues. They are funded by the Department for Health.
The package for Lithgow is expected to support the leasing of consulting rooms in town as well as the employment of health professionals and a receptionist.
Mr Gee said the centre would not be a full-size headspace but a satellite service that will ‘leverage’ off surrounding headspace sites, like the one in Penrith.
“It’s a more compact version of the larger sites you see around Australia but the point is it will provide core mental health support services, including access to GPs, psychological services and youth support through youth workers."
Mr Gee said he was hoping the headspace would open in the second half of 2018.
“I think it’s important for young people to know that if they are experiencing mental health difficulties that they are not alone and that there is someone to turn to, and they will be able to turn to this service," he said.
“I think the imperative is to get a service up and running… it may be that we expand it into a much larger operation.”
The Nepean Blue Mountains Public Health Network will oversee the tendering process for the space.
“The funding will go to PHN and we will be overseeing and seeking a provider to run the Lithgow headspace outreach service, as well as ensuring the service is consulting with the community around what’s needed,” Lizzy Reay, CEO of Wentworth Healthcare said.
Ms Reay said that headspace staff would be able to link young people and families with support they need “at any stage”, and would co-operate with other services available in the local area.
She said she could not yet confirm the centre’s hours of operation.
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“Importantly, it will provide that location, place and space so then people know where they can go to,” Ms Reay said.
“So a GP can refer you or a young person can just attend themselves or a family member, counsellor, teacher, or soccer coach. That’s the import part of headspace, that there’s access in many different ways.”
Nepean Blue Mountains Public Health Network is a member of Lithgow City Council’s mental health taskforce.
Ms Reay acknowledged there is “much more” to be done in Lithgow to address mental health and the high rate of suicide.
Headspace currently operates online and over-the-phone support for young people who cannot access its centres. Young people can register for those services at eheadspace.org.au or by calling 1800 650 890.
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