NEW HEADSPACE OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR NARACOORTE

NEW HEADSPACE OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR NARACOORTE

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin has welcomed the announcement that headspace Mount Gambier will expand its outreach services into Naracoorte.

Naracoorte is one of 20 regional communities to receive a headspace outreach service through an Australian Government investment of more than $27 million. Work to establish the services is commencing, with delivery expected to begin within approximately 12 months.

“Ensuring people can access mental health support, particularly young people, has always been a priority for me,” Mr Pasin said.

“Young people living in regional communities face the same mental health challenges as those in metropolitan areas, but often have fewer services available and must travel further to access support.

“Extending the reach of headspace Mount Gambier into Naracoorte will mean more young people can access early intervention and support closer to home.”

headspace Mount Gambier already provides weekly talk-soon appointments at Naracoorte High School and in-person outreach across the Upper South East. The new program will build on these existing services and provide young people with greater access to mental health support within the Naracoorte community.

Established by the Coalition Government in 2006, headspace provides youth-friendly support for people aged 12 to 25 across mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug issues, and work and study support.

Mr Pasin was instrumental in securing funding to establish headspace Mount Gambier, which opened in 2016, and later helped secure further funding in 2020 to expand its clinical services, increase staffing, provide brief-intervention therapies and reduce waiting times for young people.

Mr Pasin also secured funding for the establishment of headspace Murray Bridge and has long advocated for a headspace service in the Barossa.

“I welcome this new investment in youth mental health services and look forward to seeing headspace Mount Gambier’s important work extended further into the Naracoorte community,” Mr Pasin said.