Tamworth youth get in right headspace

Headspace is for young people aged 12 to 25 and brings together mental health support and counselling, as well as general physical health, drugs and alcohol and education and employment services.

Yesterday saw the service receive its first clients, who can make appointments themselves or be referred by a GP or other provider.

Manager Helen Carter said headspace was a “one-stop shop” where young people could go to get help with a range of issues.

“It’s about improving access for young people who perhaps haven’t felt confident about seeking help before and weren’t sure where to go,” Ms Carter said.

Just one in four young people who need help for mental health issues receive it.

But it was expected the new service would be well-used – Ms Carter said, on average, headspace centres helped about 600 people each year, with more-established services seeing about 1000 clients.

She said the service would work alongside existing mental health services and provide assistance to young people on the mild to moderate end of the mental health spectrum.

Headspace is operated by a consortium led by Centacare New England North West, with Hunter New England Mental Health Service, Northwest Health, a4e, Aboriginal Employment Strategy, the PCYC and local police also involved.

The centre is staffed by seven full-time employees and visiting practitioners, including GPs from Northwest Health and psychologists from Centacare.

“(They are) very excited, very enthusiastic; they’re a very dedicated team, they just want to make a difference for young people,” Ms Carter said.

A reference group made up of young people has overseen the building, design and service delivery processes of the centre.

Youth who want to access the service can call 6762 9290, email headspace@centacarenenw.com.au or visit the centre at 2 Darling St to make an appointment.

Service providers can get referral forms at www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/headspace-tamworth