headspace Whitsundays opens in Proserpine providing free mental health support for young people
The critical service will provide Whitsunday youth access to mental health support three days a week, removing the need for families to travel to Mackay or Townsville.
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Whitsunday youth have a new place to turn for mental health support with the opening of a new headspace centre in Proserpine on Monday, January 31.
Located on Main St, the service will provide young people in the region access to free, confidential health services three days a week, removing the need for families to travel to Mackay or Townsville.
The service is available to people aged 12 to 25, with key focus areas of mental health, alcohol and other drugs, education and employment support, and physical and sexual health.
The service model and building have been developed in consultation with the Whitsunday community, a steering committee, and a youth reference group comprising young people from Collinsville, Bowen, Proserpine, Cannonvale and Hamilton Island.
A team of five talented clinicians support the service, all of whom have spent time in the headspace Mackay office, working with the Mackay and Whitsunday communities in preparation for the launch.
headspace Mackay will act as the parent centre to headspace Whitsundays, overseeing its operational management.
Northern Australian Primary Health Limited, NAPHL, operates all three services in the region – Mackay, Sarina and now Whitsundays – and is funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, NQPHN, through the Australian government’s PHN Program.
headspace Mackay centre manager Carmen Davey said the service could not have come at a better time.
“2021 was a tough year for everyone, with young people the hardest hit by the mental health impacts of Covid-19,” Ms Davey said.
“The Whitsundays communities are extremely excited to have access to support locally, knowing that they now have the services they need to best support their young people.”
NQPHN CEO Robin Whyte said the effectiveness of the headspace model had been “proven around the country” and she was confident the new Whitsunday satellite service would have a great impact on the local community.
“Mental health is the single biggest health issue facing young Australians and the Whitsundays region is no different,” Ms Whyte said.
“It’s well documented that early and effective intervention can make all the difference.
“We are proud to work with both NAPHL and headspace to improve mental health outcomes for our young people.”
headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said young people living in the regional and remote parts of Australia were a priority for the organisation and he was excited to expand the network into the Whitsundays.
“headspace Whitsundays will make available to young people a wide range of mental health supports and other wellbeing services – when and where they need it most,” Mr Trethowan said.
headspace Whitsundays will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Walk-ins are welcome but because of the evolving Covid-19 situation, anyone wanting to use the service is encouraged to phone ahead on 4842 6760 to ensure the most appropriate delivery mode for them.
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