Labor unveils $40 million boost to Headspace as teen health crisis looms

More than 70 South Coast teens are currently on a waitlist for mental health services at Headspace, with many waiting up to six months to receive help. An injection of funding aims to speed that up.

In a bid to address a looming mental health crisis among South Coast teens, the Federal Government has today announced a $44 million package aimed at reducing wait times and improving health services at Headspace centres across the country.

In Batemans Bay, more than 70 teens are currently on a waitlist at the town’s Headspace mental health centre, with some waiting as long as six months to be seen by physical and mental health professionals, according to Labor member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips.

“Right now, demand for mental health support is at an all-time high across Australia,” Ms Phillips said.

“In our region, following years of drought, bushfires, floods, and the pandemic, many local young people are struggling.

“This funding will go a long way in helping to reduce wait times, but importantly also to ensure our young people get the help they need.”

Provided under the Headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Grant Opportunity, the funding will be channelled into 57 separate Headspace centres across Australia, with $27 million to be spent reducing wait times at 31 headspace centres.

A further $17 million will be spent improving buildings and equipment at 38 headspace centres.

For local teens like Jack Golding, 17, the investment comes at a tough time for students who have battled years of natural disasters and the Covid pandemic, only to face renewed threats from the virus as well as a teacher shortage.

“My friends and I have had such a hard time getting through Covid,” Mr Golding said.

“There’s so much anxiety and depression.

“Having something like Headspace, where you can walk in and chat with someone … that helps so much.”

The Batemans Bay centre, which also operates satellite services in nearby Ulladulla, opened in January 2021, and will receive $1.7 million as part of the package to address a “backlog” in teens seeking services after the cessation of state lockdowns.

Southeast NSW Primary Health Network (Coordinaire) CEO Dianne Kitcher said the funding would allow centres like Batemans Bay to hire more staff, including more allied health professionals and dietitians, to address the backlog.

“The additional funding will allow more resources to go into smaller communities,” she said.

“These areas have been struggling to get staffing, so this will really help.”

Ms Kitcher said many teens had “put off” seeking help during Covid.

“People have been a bit hesitant about coming forward,” she said.

“We’re finding that with healthcare everywhere, whether it’s physical or mental.

“People are only just starting to re-engage, and schools are starting to refer people to Headspace again, that’s why there’s an extra demand.”

For Batemans Bay High School Year 10 student Lachlan Darroch, the centre represents a place to come and speak to professionals; a space where students and teens who don’t feel confident speaking up in school can seek help.

“People might feel like they’ll get judged going to the school counsellor, but that doesn’t happen here,” he said.

“It provides a chance to speak to someone if that’s what you need.”