Federal Member for Page Mr Kevin Hogan has announced increased funding that NCPHN has provided to GenHealth, the organisation that runs headspace Grafton. The additional funding is providing expanded youth mental health services to the young people of Yamba, Maclean and Iluka.

NCPHN has commissioned additional Commonwealth funding of $130,000 for the new services. This means that young people showing signs of mental distress, or who are at risk of developing mental health issues will not have to travel to Grafton to see a mental health professional.

• The Yamba service started in late September at the Raymond Laurie Sports Centre and also services the Iluka community. It operates on Mondays between 9am and 3pm.
• The weekly Maclean service starts in February next year at 13 Rannoch Avenue Maclean.

headspace provides holistic care for young people aged 12 to 25 in four key areas – mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug use, and social and vocational support. Youth workers and mental health professionals are able to provide counselling and other support to young people and refer them to other services as required.

headspace Grafton has also been working closely with the community to develop mental health initiatives both through its centre and in local schools.

Mr Hogan said he was delighted to be part of a Government so committed to caring for the mental health of Australia’s young people.

“Providing professional help in smaller towns is crucial. We know that the closer to home mental health services are, the easier it is for young people to get the help they need when they need it,” he said.

headspace Grafton’s General Manager Jason Grimes said the new Maclean and Yamba sites offered a range of health services.

“These include access to mental health professionals, referral services to GPs, psychologist, alcohol and drug treatment assistance and other services that up to now have only been available at headspace in Grafton.

“The young people of Yamba, Maclean and Iluka will be welcomed by friendly and supportive health workers and staff and receive the best holistic health care on offer,” he added.

Mr Grimes said he was very proud of what the centre’s staff had achieved since the official opening in December last year. In particular he paid tribute to the efforts of Community Engagement Manager Mark McGrath.

“headspace Grafton has been warmly welcomed by the community and our first anniversary is a significant milestone. We look forward to celebrating next Tuesday 18 December here at our centre. Please come along and join us anytime between 2pm and 5pm on that day.”

Since headspace Grafton opened:

• 346 individual young people have received services from Youth Access Clinicians, psychologists, psychiatry and general practitioners.
• The centre has provided 1599 occasions of service to people who have attended for assistance.
• Since July 2018, 2491 individuals have been provided service outside the centre. This has come through headspace presentations and various mental health first aid training packages delivered to schools, other services, local businesses and groups of parents throughout the Clarence Valley.

Mr Grimes said coming into the New Year it’s anticipated the services provided within headspace Grafton will continue to increase, with on average 30 to 35 new young people attending the service each month. Occasions of service provided outside the centre are expected to remain at around 5000 individuals per year.