‘Safe spaces’ for adults suffering from mental health crisis

Adult “safe spaces” where people suffering from mental health issues would be able to seek immediate help are among a raft of measures being explored by Health Minister Greg Hunt as the federal government moves to address the suicide crisis.

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Adult “safe spaces” where people suffering a mental health crisis can seek help is one of a raft of measures the federal government is looking to roll out to help reduce the rising suicide rate.

The safe spaces would be modelled on the youth one-stop-shop mental health service Headspace and designed to fill a void between the GP and hospital.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the move would complement services such as Head To Health, which had been accessed online by more than 600,000 users since it was established a year ago.

While the online service, which connects those in need with advice and details on where to get help, had proven to be a valuable resource, Mr Hunt acknowledged the need for an “adult Headspace”.

“A Headspace for adults is a very, very important concept,” Mr Hunt told The Sunday Telegraph.

Health Minister Greg Hunt. Picture': Darren Leigh Roberts

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“I call them safe spaces. I was at a Headspace and young people would say to me, I feel safe coming here.

“This is what adults are looking for — a place between the GP and hospital — and it is something that is being explored.”

Both Mr Hunt and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have made mental health a key priority for the government, with recent big funding announcements including $110 million for Headspace.

The minister applauded The Sunday Telegraph’s Can We Talk mental health campaign, which led to a Headspace centre in Grafton following a spate of teenage deaths.

Mr Hunt said locals had anecdotally noted suicides to have ceased since the centre opened a year ago.

“Grafton had a catastrophic youth suicide cluster,” Mr Hunt said.

“(Professor) Pat McGorry and I went up and expedited a Headspace. The advice I have is, since it was set up, there have been no more youth suicides.”

He said the campaign would also assist in helping those grappling with the more “hidden” mental issues connected with eating disorders.

“Eating disorders affect up to a million Australians and, much more than other mental health conditions, are very much in the shadows,” Mr Hunt said.

“People are more self-conscious at seeking help. There are fewer role models, so this is an area where campaigns like Can We Talk are of immense importance.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture Kym Smith

“We just provided $110 million towards eating disorder services, but it’s the role models and the sense that it’s okay to seek help that will help.”

Mr Hunt, whose mother suffered a form of bipolar disorder, said mental health had affected his family.

He also revealed the impact of one of his closest childhood friends losing a brother to suicide.

“We were just out of school,” he said.

“The pain still echoes through the family, every birthday, every Christmas.

“As we go into Christmas in particular, there are a rise in the number of calls to support services such as Lifeline. So many Australians are alone, or with broken families, so Christmas for those who don’t have a support network can be incredibly isolating.”

Mr Hunt reiterated his views on calls for a suicide target, declaring the only acceptable goal was “zero”.

“We don’t want to normalise it, or tolerate it,” he said.

“The only target I am willing to set is zero.”

To find help: www.headtohealth.gov.au

Originally published as ‘Safe spaces’ for adults suffering from mental health crisis