OCEAN Grove will boast a new health and wellbeing hub and provide a new headspace service thanks to an investment of $4 million from the Liberal Government.<\/p>\n
Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson announced the funding yesterday (Wednesday), which will assist Bellarine Community Health to build the Ocean Grove Health and Wellbeing Hub, and provide a new headspace service.<\/p>\n
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the government was committed to improving local health access, and to building a world class health system Australia wide.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis announcement ensures the region will gain greater access to primary and secondary health, coupled with specialist outreach services and a headspace facility,\u201d Minister Hunt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy delivering our plan for a strong economy we can make investments in projects like the Ocean Grove Health and Wellbeing Hub that Victorians want and need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Headspace Ocean Grove will complement headspace Drysdale, and will operate outreach services to local communities, including Leopold, Drysdale, Clifton Springs, Portarlington, Indented Head, Barwon Heads, St Leonards, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.<\/p>\n
Ms Henderson said she had been lobbying hard for funding to support a new headspace facility for the Bellarine, located centrally in Ocean Grove.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was identified that a headspace facility was required with the population growth across the Bellarine Peninsula,\u201d Ms Henderson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuicide is the leading cause of death of young people in Australia, accounting for one-third of all deaths.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith recent deaths due to suicide in the Corangamite electorate, it is so important for youth, their families and friends, to have access to mental health care support services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bellarine Community Health will provide $2 million to the $6 million project.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, before Ms Henderson\u2019s announcement, Labor candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker visited Ocean Grove with Shadow Assistant Minister For Mental Health Senator Deborah O\u2019Neill to announce that a Shorten Labor Government would create a new headspace centre in Ocean Grove to deliver early intervention mental health services for those aged 12 to 25 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have heard from parents, young people and mental health professionals across the Bellarine who have expressed the urgent need for further investment in youth mental health services,\u201d Ms Coker said.<\/p>\n