LABOR WILL ESTABLISH A HEADSPACE IN MONASH

A Shorten Labor Government will create a new Monash headspace to deliver greater early intervention mental health services for those aged 12 to 25 years.

Labor knows that the level of mental ill health amongst young people across the city of Monash is of persistent and increasing concern.  

For over four years, local young people and Monash Council have campaigned for improved mental health services for young people. We know that around 81 per cent of young people living in Monash are concerned about mental health.

When a young person is struggling with their mental health and they are attempting to seek help, there is a small window to intervene and help them and their loved ones. At the moment, existing services are struggling to cope with demand.  For many young people, these services are not easily accessible.

Monash does not have a youth mental health facility. We know that young people in Monash who attempt to seek help travel an average 63 minutes by public transport to access their nearest headspace centres.

Labor acknowledges, values and respects the amazing and tireless work undertaken by youth mental health professionals. However, we know that more early intervention services are needed. 

At the 2016 Election, Labor committed to providing $2 million to help the Monash community build its first dedicated youth mental health facility.

By creating a dedicated headspace centre in Monash, Labor will help ensure that when young people put their hand up, say they are not well and they need help, services are available and accessible.

headspace Monash will also promote young peoples’ wellbeing across mental health, physical health, work and study support, and alcohol and other drug services.

   

We need to take action on youth mental health simply because it is the right thing to do – for our young people, their families and the broader community.

 

Our announcement builds on Labor’s strong history of supporting and expanding headspace,include our recent announcement to build a Burnie headspace.  

 

When Labor was in Government we increased the number of headspace sites by investing almost $200 million to bring the total number of headspace centres to 90. Labor also expanded the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre services that are delivered by headspace.

 

Under a Shorten Labor Government the total number of headspace centres created will expand to 112.