 | ||
headspace is a youth mental health initiative established by the Australian government in 2006. The project is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing under the Youth Mental Health Initiative Program.
Contents
headspace offers support for those aged 12 to 25 years old on a range of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol and drug use, sexuality, sexual health, personal or family relationship issues and bullying. Young people and their families can get support at a headspace centre as well as online and telephone support service eheadspace.
Centres
headspace has more than 90 centres across Australia which can be accessed for free or at low cost. Staff include doctors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, youth workers, counsellors and alcohol and drug workers. headspace can help with general health, counselling, education and employment services, as well as drug and alcohol issues.
Centre locations
New South Wales & ACT
Campbelltown, Gosford, Camperdown, Maitland, Wollongong, Coffs Harbour, Mt Druitt, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Parramatta, Nowra, Chatswood, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Newcastle, Penrith, ACT - Canberrra
Victoria
Geelong, Morwell, Glenroy, Elsternwick, Sunshine, Frankston, Bendigo, Collingwood, Warrnambool, Collingwood, Knox, Ballarat, Dandenong, Shepparton
Queensland
Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Hervey Bay, Maroochydore, Southport, Warwick, Inala, Nundah, Ipswich, Toowoomba
Western Australia
Albany, Broome, Fremantle, Osborne Park, Midland, Bunbury
South Australia
Edinburgh North, Noarlunga, Murray Bridge, Berri, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier
Tasmania
Hobart, Launceston, Devonport
Northern Territory
Alice Springs, Palmerston
New centres
New centres announced in 2012 to be operation in 2014 will be located in: New South Wales: Richmond Valley Hinterland (Lismore), Sydney - South West (Liverpool), Sydney - South East (St George/Canterbury), Sydney - Northern Beaches, Sydney - Sutherland (Cronulla)Victoria: Melbourne - West (Werribee), Melbourne - Inner East (Kew), Melbourne - North (Craigieburn/Seymour)Queensland: Moreton Bay East, Rockhampton, Mt Isa, Brisbane - CityWestern Australia: Rockingham, Perth - North West (Joondalup)South Australia: Adelaide West
Centres announced in 2013 were: New South Wales: Sydney - eastern suburbs (Bondi Junction), Sydney - inner west (Strathfield/Burwood), Sydney - south west (Bankstown), Tweed Valley (Tweed Heads), Queanbeyan - South Canberra (Queanbeyan), Dubbo, Wyong Shire (outpost service from Gosford)Victoria: Mildura, Albury Wodonga, Melbourne - south east (Fountain Gate/Narre Warren)Queensland: Logan - Beaudesert (Logan), Toowoomba, Brisbane - west (Indooroopilly)Western Australia: Perth - south east (Armadale), Goldfields (Kalgoorlie)South Australia: Adelaide - Central and Hills (Norwood)
eheadspace
eheadspace is confidential, free and secure space where a young person can call, web chat or email with a qualified youth mental health professional. It is not, however, a crisis support line like Lifeline or Kids Helpline.
The service can be used between 1.00pm and 1.00am 7 days a week (AEST) and can call the phone line 1800 650 890 10.00pm to 1.00pm 7 days a week (AEST).
School support
headspace School Support is an initiative funded by the Department of Health and Ageing that provides support to secondary schools affected by the suicide of a student.
Support can be accessed for:
Staff, board and ambassadors
The Chief Executive of Headspace is Chris Tanti and the organisation also has a board which includes Wendy McCarthy AO (Chair) and Professor Patrick McGorry AO.
Ambassadors include: