1300 727 957
Additional support for youth mental health in Caloundra is coming soon in the form of a new headspace centre located on Bowman Road. The purpose-built fitout for the centre is on track, with a planned opening before Christmas.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care with funding administration by Country to Coast, QLD, the new centre will be operated by not-for-profit Lives Lived Well.
Chief Executive, Country to Coast, QLD, Julie Sturgess said she was pleased with recent building progress and was looking forward to supporting the launch of this free or low-cost mental health service for young people aged 12 to 25 years, their families and carers.
‘We know that early intervention is important for better youth mental health, and that’s why services close to home are so important,’ said Ms Sturgess.
‘In partnership with commissioned service provider Lives Lived Well and headspace National, we undertook an extensive search for an appropriate site, ensuring young people were also actively involved, as the site needed to be in a suitable location and easily accessible.
‘We are delighted to say that premises have been secured at 67 Bowman Road, Caloundra and recent building approvals gave us the green light to move ahead with the tailored fitout.
‘Local young people also had a say in the centre’s design process, reviewing layout and furniture options to create a youth-friendly and culturally safe space, and an environment that truly reflects their needs,’ said Ms Sturgess.
Following planned completion of site works in late November, the new service is scheduled to open before the end of the year.
Lives Lived Well Chief Executive Mitchell Giles highlighted the importance of the new headspace centre, saying, ‘This centre will provide much-needed additional mental health support for young people in the area.’
‘Our team commenced community engagement activities in mid-October to ensure young people in the area understand the services that the headspace centre will offer and those already available to them locally,’ said Mr Giles.
‘We’re working with local schools to offer education and awareness sessions to increase the mental health literacy of young people and reduce stigma associated with seeking mental health support.
‘With our team fully recruited, we’re excited to open the doors soon, providing a safe, supportive space for young people’s mental, physical, and social wellbeing,’ said Mr Giles.
Ms Sturgess said the new headspace centre in Caloundra will be the third headspace service on the Sunshine Coast, complementing headspace Maroochydore and headspace Gympie (both operated by Youturn).
‘Access to headspace services is not confined to postcodes, so young people in the Caloundra area are also welcome to contact and visit headspace Maroochydore,’ said Ms Sturgess.
Young people aged 12 to 25 years can also connect to e-headspace online at Connect with a mental health clinician 1-on-1 | headspace or by phone on freecall 1800 650 890 from 9am to 1am every day.
‘Young people aged 18 to 25 years can also access free, on-the-spot mental health advice and counselling at the Maroochydore Medicare Mental Health Centre, which opened in July and is also funded by Country to Coast, QLD.
Ms Sturgess said young adults could also speak with experienced mental health clinicians on the Head to Health Phone Service available Monday to Friday from 8:30am-5pm (except public holidays) on freecall on 1800 595 212.
Head to Health is able to help callers find the most appropriate service or care pathway for their needs, including referring through to headspace or Medicare Mental Health Centres.
‘We are delighted to partner with Lives Lived Well and headspace National to bring this latest community mental health service to young people on the Sunshine Coast,’ said Ms Sturgess.
‘Our priority is to ensure that no matter where young people begin their help-seeking journey, they can access free or low-cost mental health support tailored to their needs,’ Ms Sturgess said.
Mental health emergency support services:
- headspace, Medicare Mental Health Centres and Head to Health Phone Service are not crisis nor emergency mental health services.
- For urgent mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- If you need immediate help or are at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 000 now.
ENDS
Media contacts
Country to Coast, QLD
Ange Baldwin | 0455 721 483
[email protected]
Lives Lived Well
Lisa Larkin | 0428 433 572
[email protected]
About Country to Coast, QLD
Country to Coast, QLD is an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to building healthy, connected and resilient communities across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions. We deliver the Australian Government’s PHN Program and partner with health providers and the community to design and commission quality primary care services.
About Lives Lived Well
Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers evidence-based services across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. The organisation specialises in supporting people with concerns related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD), mental health, transitioning from corrective services, veterans’ wellbeing and gambling. Lives Lived Well is the lead agency for headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera. Learn more at www.liveslivedwell.org.au.
