Youth mental health a focus for Libs funding pledge

YOUTH mental health service – headspace – is inline for a funding boost should the Coalition win government in November.

In Ballarat on Wednesday, Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy pledged $1.14 million for outreach services across the state.

“headspace has had great success in engaging youth with mental health and drug and alcohol problems, but we can do better in Victoria to support our young people,” she said.

“We must make sure all young people can get the mental health support they need – regardless of where they live.”

Currently headspace does not provide outreach services.

Ballarat headspace manager Janelle Johnson said the money could be used in several ways.

“Certainly that’ll allow headspace Ballarat to do some outreach service, whether that be social services, or clinical support to young people that are further afield,” she said.

“The headspace model doesn’t allow for outreach services, it’s a centre-based service. However, we do provide services to young people that come from rural and regional areas into our service.

“We often get requests to come and see people in their own homes, but we just don’t have the capacity to do so. This funding would be excellent to be able to provide in-home support or further community support.”

Founded in 2006, headspace works with young people aged 12-26, a time when the organisation says mental health
issues can develop.

With a focus on early intervention and patient centred support, headspace has about 100 facilities nationwide, with 24 in the state, 10 of which are in the regions.