A HEADSPACE centre would relieve demand and streamline access to youth mental health support, according to a local mental health worker.
Social worker and psychotherapist Liz McDonald supports people of all ages through mental health issues and said there seemed to be more demand for help than services could provide.
She said the recently announced Headspace centre, set to open in Swan Hill in the next 18 months, would relieve demand on local services and establish an “easier process” to access mental health support.
“The amount of referrals I see would indicate that,” she said.
“I’ve got more work than I can handle so I don’t think there will be any impact as to taking away from the service.
“For me [a Headspace opening] is another networking opportunity and I am hoping it will provide more resources.”
According to local data, since 2004 Swan Hill has experienced a steady increase in the number of young people presenting to hospital with mental health issues.
A recent report showed that in 2012, 80 young people sought mental health support at the Swan Hill District Health emergency department presenting with issues such as depression, anxiety and self-harm.
The primary focus of Headspace is the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians aged 12 to 25.
Mental health clinician Colleen Ballard is based in Bendigo, but recently began operating outreach services in Swan Hill, Kerang and Cohuna after recognising an unmet need in counselling support for children, adolescents and families.
“It has been a huge gap for a long time, we have got counsellors out there, but Headspace is going to help me because I will be able to refer on to them.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (Oct 15).
