The Member for Kooyong Josh Frydenberg is pleased to announce that a headspace youth mental health service will open in Kew.
This announcement follows a community campaign for a headspace service in the electorate of Kooyong, including direct representations by Mr Frydenberg to both the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, The Hon. Mark Butler MP and to Professor Patrick McGorry, former Australian of the Year and a founding board member of headspace.
headspace sites provide a one-stop shop for young people, aged 12-25, to access information and services relating to general health and well being, mental health and alcohol and drug services.
Established by the Howard Government in 2006, there are today 40 headspace sites across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia with 90 sites to be in operation by 2015.
Since 2006, headspace has assisted more than 71,000 young people with a remarkable 92 per cent of those who use the service reporting improvements in their mental health.
"With the numbers of young Australians experiencing some form of mental health issue this year, reaching the alarming rate of 1 in 4, it is absolutely critical that we provide the best possible support services to those in need. The establishment of a headspace site in Kooyong is a huge step forward towards this goal and promises to be a great boost to young people in our local community." Mr Frydenberg said.
Mr Frydenberg paid particular credit to the advocacy of Laura Lloyd, who as a 19 year old Surrey Hills student affected by the suicide of a friend's brother, strongly backed a headspace service for Kooyong. Ms Lloyd said "As you get older you realise how many people are affected by depression and mental illness. The site would mean having information readily available at a place where people aren't going to be judged and they've got someone to talk to."
State Member for Kew, The Hon. Andrew McIntosh MP also welcomed a headspace service for the electorate saying "I congratulate and thank the Member for Kooyong, Josh Frydenberg for his strong advocacy to secure a headspace site in our local area. This important initiative will provide vital assistance for young people seeking help to deal with mental health issues."
The Mayor of Boroondara, Councillor Heinz Kreutz also welcomed the announcement. "This is another terrific opportunity for all levels of government to work together on such an important issue," Cr Kreutz said.
"Young people are the future of our country," Mr Frydenberg said. "However, they face many challenges, not least of which are issues related to mental health. The location of a headspace site in Kooyong is fantastic news for our local community as we all come together in a bipartisan manner to provide the best possible support to one another."