STATEMENT - INCIDENT AT RENMARK HIGH SCHOOL

I was appalled and disgusted upon learning of the presentation given by an individual contracted by Headspace Berri at Renmark High School last month.

I have spoken to the CEO of Focus One Health this morning and voiced by strongest disappointment at what has occurred. As part of that conversation, I have been given assurances that it will not happen again.

As an ardent supporter of Headspace, I have expressed my concerns regarding the reputational risk this incident poses to the organisation not only locally in the Riverland but as a national brand.

The federally funded organisation does exceptional work to support the mental health and wellbeing of young Australian’s and while I strongly condemn the content included in a presentation made to an unsupervised group of year nine students at Renmark High School last month, I hope that it does not affect the willingness of families to reach out to Headspace when needed. 

While I hope that this incident will be a lesson for each organisation involved and that processes are strengthened as a result, my concern remains for the children involved.

I understand that counselling has been offered and I would encourage families of children affected to take up that opportunity.