Young people in the Northern Territory will benefit from improved access to mental health support and care with a boost in funding for headspace in Darwin and Alice Springs.
headspace Darwin will receive $1,228,070 for building upgrades and headspace Alice Springs will receive $542,553 to expand cultural capability activities through the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program.
Today Assistant Minister McBride visited headspace Darwin and met with staff, members of the Youth Reference Group and announced the funding boost.
headspace is the primary national platform for young people aged 12 to 25 years old who are experiencing, or at risk of, mild to moderate mental ill-health.
headspace provide support in four core areas – mental health and wellbeing, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.
The Albanese Labor Government is investing more than $290 million into headspace.
There are currently 172 headspace services open with a commitment to grow to 203.
As part of the $1.1 billion mental health election commitment, over $200 million will be invested in 58 new, upgraded and expanded headspace services.
Across the country, 30 headspace centres will be uplifted to headspace Plus, offering support for more complex and ongoing mental ill health, including headspace Darwin.
Both headspace services are funded by the Albanese Labor Government and commissioned by the NT Primary Health Network. headspace Darwin is provided by Anglicare NT and headspace Alice Springs is provided by Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Service.
For young people who prefer online support, eheadspace is available at: www.headspace.org.au or by phoning 1800 650 890.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“Boosting funding for headspace Darwin and Alice Springs will support these services to meet the growing needs of local young people.
“The Albanese Labor Government is upgrading and expanding the headspace network across the country to deliver quality care closer to home.
“At the election, we announced a significant investment in mental health, and I’m pleased that as part of that headspace Darwin will be upgraded to a headspace Plus.”
Quotes attributable to Minister McCarthy:
“The Albanese Labor Government is ensuring more young Australians, including First Nations youth, can access mental health services.
“This extra funding for headspace Darwin and Alice Springs will allow more young people to get the support they need, closer to home.
“Young Territorians need to know there is always support available.”
Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari:
"Today’s announcement is a significant investment in the mental health needs of young people in Alice Springs.
"We know that young people have different needs compared to adults and headspace is well positioned to offer support that is appropriate and effective.
"Our government is committed to increasing access to both physical and mental health services right across the Central Australian region."
Quotes attributable to Luke Gosling OAM, Member for Solomon:
"The growing needs of young people in Darwin and Palmerston will benefit from improved access to mental health support and care through boosted funding for the headspace services.
"The existing Darwin headspace centre will be upgraded to headspace Plus and a new Youth Specialist Care Centre in the NT for young people with very complex needs, psychotic disorders, complex eating disorders, personality disorders."