10 September 2020
headspace Port Lincoln has today officially opened its doors to young people and their families in Port Lincoln and surrounding areas. The satellite service, led by Country & Outback Health, will provide mental health services and local partnerships with both Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health and West Coast Youth will provide access to GP services and alcohol and other drugs support.
The opening of headspace Port Lincoln was celebrated with a small event to acknowledge the Government’s commitment to supporting the mental health of young people in the region. headspace Port Lincoln team members, young people from the area and members of the community were joined by Federal Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, Country SA PHN CEO, Kim Hosking, Chairperson of the Country & Outback Health Board, John Gross, Port Lincoln Mayor, Brad Flaherty and headspace Board Member, Dr John Harvey to mark the occasion.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he is very pleased to launch the Port Lincoln headspace.
“I have been campaigning for this facility for some time and today to be here participating in its opening is a great thrill,” Mr Ramsey said.
“The support I have had from Port Lincoln and further abroad in securing the funding for the unit has been greatly appreciated. In particular, I thank the lead agency Country & Outback Health, Jo Clarke and the West Coast Youth team, Mentally Fit EP, Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, the Council and Chez Curnow and Kim Hosking from the Country SA Primary Health Care Network who have all added their support to the project.
“I particularly would like to extend my thanks to thanks to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, who has been extremely supportive in extending the footprint of headspace in the Grey electorate. He is unable to attend today but, sends his best wishes.
“There are 110 headspace units in Australia now, four of them in Grey including the flying headspace out of Port Augusta, it’s a very good result and one that I intend to build on.”
Country SA PHN CEO Kim Hosking said providing greater access to mental health support to the young people of Port Lincoln and surrounds, through their own headspace service centre, has never been more important due to increased demand caused by COVID-19.
“We’re so pleased to fund a headspace centre at Port Lincoln to give local young people access to this safe place to reach out for help in tackling their own personal challenges,” said Mr Hosking.
“Existing local demand has been exacerbated by the disruption and uncertainty of COVID-19 having a profound effect on many young people. This headspace centre will provide much needed primary mental health support for the youth of Port Lincoln and beyond.”
headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said young people are facing even greater challenges as a result of COVID-19 and it’s really important they get the help they need.
“Research from headspace reveals young people are reporting a decline in their mental health since the beginning of COVID-19. Further to this, our research suggests young people are feeling a lack of confidence in their ability to achieve future goals.
“The opening of headspace Port Lincoln couldn’t come at a better time. Having this service in the community will mean young people in the area will have another avenue of getting support for their mental health to get them through tough times and help them to get back on track.”
Also in attendance at the official opening was Country & Outback Health CEO, Zieco Skeldon, who said. “we are extremely excited and very proud to now be able to extend youth mental health services into Port Lincoln, complementing our current Country & Outback mental health services in the region and providing the Lower Eyre Peninsula youth with greater access to mental health support through their own headspace satellite centre”. Mr Skeldon goes on to say, “Mental Health support is a crucial service for young people, particularly in regional and rural communities, who may feel isolated and alone during this vulnerable time of their lives. The Port Lincoln headspace centre has tailored services to suit both the mental and physical health needs of young people and will engage the community to increase mental health literacy and build young people’s wellness and resilience”.
headspace Port Lincoln is located at 19 Oxford Terrace and is open from Monday to Thursday.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time, please reach out to headspace Port Lincoln or visit the headspace website https://headspace.org.au/