The service is expected to begin to deliver services in late 2018 and will be officially launched early next year.  

Marathon Health and Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, made the announcement on Wednesday, October 10.

Earlier this year, Wentworth Healthcare appointed Marathon Health to operate the satellite in response to concerns that there were limited youth centred services in the Lithgow area.

The satellite will be part of the headspace Bathurst service, but feature locally based staff and a service location to support the needs of the Lithgow community.

Stephen Jackson, Marathon Health CEO, said it had been wonderful to see the community rally behind this much-needed service.

“Young people in regional areas often struggle to find services that will meet their individual needs. It’s been great that the community, Nepean Blue Mountains PHN and Lithgow City Council are working quickly to fill an identified a gap in youth mental health with a service that is committed to young people and their wellbeing.

“We have been working closely with the community to find the right site for the service location and are pleased to announce that we have signed a lease for 23 Main Street.

“We will be getting input from Lithgow’s youth population in regards to the look and feel of the satellite to ensure it is a place young people feel comfortable to visit, and we hope fit out will commence in the next month.”

Peter Rohr, Marathon Health’s Group Manager of headspace Services, said headspace Lithgow would employ staff to be based in Lithgow and will also look to partner with existing service providers to ensure young people can receive the care they need, when they need it.

“Our focus will be on early-intervention, education and awareness regarding mental health. We will be working with existing service providers to address youth mental health in a connected and collaborative way.”

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Headspace provides 12-25 year olds mental health support, physical and sexual health, assistance with alcohol and other drugs, employment and education support, as well as information and support for parents and carers.

Federal Calare MP Andrew Gee announced the creation of a headspace outreach service in Lithgow on February 1 this year, along with $1.06 million in funding. 

If you are a young person with something going on, you can access support via the following channels:

24 hour Helplines (in an emergency please call Triple Zero): Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511; Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467; Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Online Resources: eheadspace: https://www.eheadspace.org.au/; Beyondblue: www.beyondblue.org.au; Way Ahead: www.wayahead.org.au.