Pictured L-R: Tony Davies (CEO Social Futures), Donna Burns (headspace Board), Monika Wheeler (CEO Healthy North Coast), Justine Elliot MP, Leon McCann (Co-Chair Young People’s Advisory Committee), Emma McBride MP, Jason Trethowan (CEO headspace)
Young people aged 12 to 25 in Ballina are set to benefit from increased access to mental health support with the opening of a new headspace service.
Northern Rivers-based not-for-profit organisation Social Futures was selected to operate the new headspace service which provides a safe, welcoming space where young people can access free or low-cost, youth-friendly supports including mental health, alcohol and other drug services and vocational and educational services.
Located centrally in Ballina, the service is designed to help address the growing need for mental health support in the region.
Staff at the new service include health workers and mental health professionals that can help with issues such as stress, anxiety, managing relationships with family and friends, alcohol and other drugs, questions about romantic relationships, sex and gender, bullying, anger, finding a job or getting into study, and more.
The headspace Ballina service is part of a national network of 167 centres working to provide early intervention mental health services to young Australians. This new service was made possible through funding from Healthy North Coast through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network program.
The service is now open to the community. Young people and families are encouraged to visit and learn more about the range of services available. For more information, visit headspace.org.au.
Quotes
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride MP:
“The Albanese Labor Government is investing in the headspace network so young people can access free mental health care close to home.
“There are now 91 headspaces in regional Australia showing our commitment to supporting young people outside the major centres.
“Natural disasters can have long lasting effects on people’s mental health. The opening of headspace Ballina makes sure young people affected by the floods, or experiencing any mental health concerns, have access to the support they need.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot MP:
“Establishing a permanent headspace in Ballina will reduce the burden of mental ill-health in our community and help our young people to thrive.
“This is the second headspace for Richmond after headspace Tweed Heads. Both headspaces are examples of the Australian Government supporting the health and wellbeing of regional Australians.
“I would like to recognise headspace Lismore for the crucial outreach services they have provided over the past few years to support young people in Ballina following the floods.”
Quotes attributable to Healthy North Coast CEO, Monika Wheeler:
“The North Coast region has a higher level of mental health, suicidality and substance use challenges in comparison with the rest of NSW. Locally, we have a third more mental health-related emergency department presentations than the rest of NSW. The new Ballina headspace will improve access to mental health and wellbeing services for young people across the Ballina Shire so that help is available before young people reach crisis point.
“The new headspace Ballina service will provide a vital resource for young people, to build early and positive help-seeking behaviours that will support wellbeing management for later years. Healthy North Coast is proud to support this service in partnership with Social Futures and the Australian Government.”
Quotes attributable to Chief Operating Officer – Service Delivery at Social Futures, Cassie Primmer:
“Social Futures is excited to announce the expansion of our headspace service in Ballina, building on existing services previously offered through outreach from our parent headspace centre in Lismore. Services will include a stronger focus on providing culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
“Young people face challenges on many fronts, from the demands of study or work and cost of living pressures to self-identity, loneliness, coping with change, and global warming. It’s vital to acknowledge these impacts and recognise that life isn’t always easy.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone into this fantastic new space and providing the best experience possible.”
Quotes attributable to Acting CEO headspace, Julia Smith:
“We’re extremely pleased to see mental health services for young people on the North Coast strengthened with headspace Ballina now offering services to the local community, supported by strong headspace partners in Social Futures. From our perspective the most important thing in opening a service like this is that the community of Ballina know the service is now here for you – so if you, or a young person you care about needs support with their mental health, please know that’s what headspace is here for.”
Additional info:
- headspace Ballina is located at 32 Swift Street, Ballina NSW 2478.
- The headspace satellite is currently open 10am-6pm Monday-Thursday and can be reached on 02 6625 0200, or via walk-in. When the Ballina service isn’t open, young people can contact headspace Lismore on the same phone number or at 29 Molesworth Street, Lismore NSW 2480.
- Funding is valued at $2,391,830 for the first three-year period.
- There are other headspace centres on the North Coast in Tweed, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey and Port Macquarie.
