headspace

Young people across the Healthy North Coast region experience a range of challenges that can impact their mental health, wellbeing and ability to participate in education, employment and community life. The region’s Community Needs Assessment identified ongoing need for accessible, early intervention mental health services, particularly for young people experiencing distress, social isolation, barriers to accessing care, and increased demand for support.

Young people in regional and rural communities can face additional challenges, including limited access to local services, workforce shortages, transport barriers and difficulty finding support that is inclusive, appropriate and responsive to their needs. The program addresses these gaps by providing free, accessible and youth-friendly support that helps young people access the right care at the right time.

headspace provides early intervention mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 12–25 years through a nationally consistent, evidence-informed model of care. The headspace model provides young people with a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment where they can access support for their mental health and wellbeing, physical health, alcohol and other drug concerns, and work and study goals.

The service takes a young person-centred, strengths-based and holistic approach, recognising that young people’s wellbeing is influenced by many aspects of their lives. Support is delivered through multidisciplinary teams that work collaboratively with young people to understand their needs, develop individualised care plans and connect them with appropriate services and supports.

headspace centres also work with young people, families, communities and local service providers to improve accessibility, reduce barriers to support and ensure services are responsive to the needs of the local community.

headspace is delivered in:

• Tweed Heads
• Ballina
• Lismore
• Grafton
• Coffs Harbour
• Kempsey
• Port Macquarie

headspace provides young people aged 12–25 years with support across four core streams:

• Mental health – support, assessment and treatment for young people experiencing mental health concerns.
• Physical and sexual health – support, information and referrals to improve health and wellbeing.
• Alcohol and other drugs – information, support and interventions for young people with alcohol and other drug concerns.
• Work and study – support to achieve education and employment goals