A mental health care facility in Perth’s north-east will be one of the first 10 across the nation to transition to a new model, as the federal government rolls out its headspace Plus centres throughout Australia.
The upgrades follow federal government figures released in June that revealed one mental health clinic in Perth’s east had delivered more than 25,000 appointments since it opened.
Part of the Commonwealth’s plan to expand access to free mental health care, the existing headspace Midland centre will be upgraded, meaning a larger centre, an expanded workforce of mental health professionals and an increase in the centre’s capacity to support young people and families.
The Midland facility has already delivered around 9000 free appointments to local young people in the area.
In June, it was revealed that the Midland Medicare Mental Health Centre – one of five mental health support centres introduced in WA by the federal government – had provided more free sessions than the other four combined.
The figures showed that 48,140 sessions were delivered through all five operating centres located in Armadale, Gosnells, Midland, Mirrabooka and Northam.
However, the Midland clinic had outstripped them all by responding to particularly high community need – delivering more than 25,000 free appointments since opening.
Member for Hasluck Tania Lawrence said expanding the Midland facility to the headspace Plus model will mean services are even easier to access.
“I think most of us know a young person who, at some point, has struggled and needed someone to talk to,” she said.
“It’s about making sure a young person who is doing it tough can walk through the door and know someone is here to help.”
A new headspace centre will also be established in Wanneroo, bringing free mental health support to one of Perth’s fastest-growing communities.
The service will support young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing anxiety, depression, psychological distress and other mental health challenges
Member for Pearce Tracey Roberts said the City of Wanneroo is one of Perth’s largest and fastest-growing communities
“It’s important our young people have mental health support close to home,” she said.
“For years, families in Pearce have had to travel to headspace Joondalup, one of the busiest centres in WA, just to access this kind of support.
“This new centre means young people and families in Pearce will finally have somewhere local to turn to.”
Assistant Mental Health Minister Emma McBride said around two in five young Australians experience mental health challenges every year.
“The upgrade of headspace Midland and the establishment of a new headspace centre in Wanneroo will help more young people access free mental health care in their local community,” she said.
Both headspace Plus Midland and headspace Wanneroo are expected to open in the next financial year.
