For year 11 Lithgow High prefect Haylie Atkins, having a headspace in Lithgow meant young people in the area would have somewhere to go.
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"It means that even though I didn't have this service when I was struggling, other people will, because no one deserves to feel that way," she said.
Haylie spoke at the official headspace Lithgow launch on Monday, August 12, which marked International Youth Day. She explained the importance of the new satellite service funded by the federal government, to young people.
"I think this service is vital to the community because it is hard to grasp that we have lost lives maybe because we didn't have a headspace available, but now we do and that can benefit myself and others in the community," she said.
She said she struggled in her early high school years with her mental health and she knew how hard it could be when she felt there was nowhere to go and seek help.
"Many young people do not have access to vital mental health and healthcare services and can't seek help but having headspace in Lithgow is a step in the right direction," she said.
Despite the worrying statistics on mental health for young people in Lithgow, Haylie said she and her friends were lucky enough at Lithgow High School to have a Student Wellbeing Hub.
"This [Student Wellbeing Hub] means kids that are struggling with mental health and issues at home or in their lives have a safe place to go and have the feeling of being secure.
"They also have the opportunity to get help if they choose to, from the school's Wellbeing staff and outside services including headspace, who come into the school and offer counselling, help with homelessness and drug and alcohol advice," she said.
Haylie said any young person now has easy access to getting help and headspace contributed to that.
"headspace Lithgow will provide kids like me and all over the community to the support they need.
"Today is an exciting occasion because it means that the journey to better mental health in our community is finally being tackled," she said.
headspace Lithgow centre manager Andrew Meenahan said, since opening at the end of June, he has seen 50 people walk through the doors of the facility.
"The first couple of weeks were quiet with school holidays and so on, but that's what we expected but in just two months we have treated 50 young people that felt they had nowhere to go," he said.
He said working closely with Lithgow High's Wellbeing Hub complemented headspace.
"We work together and they can either refer someone who is seeking help to us or vice versa, it's a collaborative relationship," he said.
Mr Meenahan said since opening, headspace had also introduced Youth Enhancement Services.
"There is a gap between early intervention and prevention services and those suffering from acute mental health, so we have a psychologist and a case manager here on site a few days a week to provide their services.
"It's another step in the right direction," he said.
Mr Meenahan thanked important stakeholders and the community who helped get the service up and running, as guests gathered out the front of headspace for the official ceremony, followed by a cutting of the ribbon.
"Thank you to Marathon Health, [Calare MP] Andrew Gee, the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, Lithgow Council and the community.
"We have a great team at headspace and I'm excited to work here and continue to work with our existing stakeholders to help prevent mental health issues for young people," he said.
To coincide with the official launch, headspace Lithgow will also be holding a fun day for National headspace Day in October.
"There will be a barbecue, music and all inclusive fun," Mr Meenahan said.
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