Sarah Luke
SALE’S Headspace facility has been officially opened, after years of community advocacy.
The centre, which provides free and confidential early intervention mental health services to young people aged 12 to 25, has been operational since June last year, but was formally launched in a well-attended ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
The site has been well used since it figuratively ‘opened its doors’ mid-pandemic last year – a time when feelings of isolation and loneliness were exacerbated for many young people.
It provides more than 170 services, in-person and online, to support local young people with their mental health, work and study, and issues related to alcohol and other drugs.
The satellite centre, linked to Headspace Bairnsdale, aims to break down the stigma attached to seeking help, and introduce beneficial mental health habits from a young age.
By opening in Sale, Headspace removes the need for young people to be removed from their community to heal – a challenge faced by many across rural and regional areas.
The light and bright design of the centre is largely because of feedback from the centre’s youth advisory group – a group of local young people that present headspace with information about regionally-specific challenges local youth face.
It is anticipated a general practitioner will be on site part time in the near future to provide services.
The launch featured a powerful Welcome to Country performed by Ramahyuck’s Sandra Neilson and Debbie Leon, and speeches from some key proponents, before tours of the facility got underway.
Wellington Shire Youth Council mayor Orlando Davidson spoke about Gippsland’s unique struggle, in that it had been hit by drought, bushfire and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But no-one, I believe, has been more thoroughly challenged, and shaken up by these events, than our young people – the future of our community,” he said.
“Young people abruptly lost countless crucial connections and coping mechanisms.
“From just the pandemic alone, sporting clubs, movies, artistic performances, parks, libraries and cafés, concerts and even schools – which are often overlooked for the importance that they play in the social lives of our youth – were all shut down or cancelled, leaving so many of the worlds of Wellington’s youth isolated and struggling.
“Up until now, Wellington Shire hasn’t had a dedicated youth mental health service, which is why the opening of a Headspace centre here in Sale is such a momentous occasion.”
Speaking from Cairns via video, 16-year-old Headspace Sale youth advisory group co-chair Charlee Vernon has been advocating for a local youth mental health service since she was 12.
“Some of the issues faced in Wellington are definitely drugs and alcohol, and various sexual activities that people don’t have enough idea about,” she said.
Charlee added abuse and violence presented other challenges, and headspace Sale was able to help youths deal with those head-on.
Headspace Sale is operated by Relationships Australia Victoria, with support from contract manager, Gippsland Primary Health Network and a consortium of 11 local service providers.
Relationships Australia Victoria chief executive Dr Andrew Bickerdike said Sale’s young people had responded positively to the facility.
“We’ve had young people accost us in the street to tell us how much they appreciate the service,” he said.
“We’re feeling very welcome here.”
Gippsland PHN chief executive Amanda Proposch said the official opening of the new site was a welcome addition to services in the Wellington community, given the recent stressful and uncertain time for many young people.
“Support is vital, and we know young people in Wellington have been reaching out to headspace,” she said.
“Since opening, initially through telehealth and online, and then face-to-face with the easing of coronavirus restrictions, Headspace Sale has been embraced by many young people in our community.”
Speaking on behalf of Headspace National, chief operating officer Julie Smith highlighted the need for services like headspace in regional communities to support young people through challenging periods of their lives to get back on track.
“Since establishment in 2006, we have helped more than 600,000 young people who walked through the headspace doors,” she said.
“No matter how big or small the issue, young people know they can receive the support they need.”
Headspace, at 453 Raymond St, Sale, operates on Tuesdays from noon to 8pm, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 6pm, and can be phoned on 5184 5000 or emailed on info@headspacesale.org.au.
