Youth mental health organisation headspace will launch a satellite service in Cessnock this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A partnership between Samaritans and the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, the service will open on Tuesday at 122 Vincent Street.
The satellite service will be open three days a week (Tuesday to Thursday), providing a range of activities for early intervention support to people aged 12 to 25 who are facing mental health challenges.
Headspace has played an important role in helping young people around Australia to understand and respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the anxiety around social isolation and health concerns.
Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network CEO Richard Nankervis said the service is designed to help young people in their time of need.
"We are currently in the middle of a pandemic and practising self-isolation can lead to stress and anxiety and impact negatively on our mental health and wellbeing," Mr Nankervis said.
"It's important that young people reach out and ask for help and we know that headspace is a trusted service that many young people are comfortable accessing."
- READ MORE: Survey reveals virus's mental toll on young
Samaritans CEO Brad Webb said the new service offered a timely response to the growing need to support young people in the community, addressing the increased incidence of mental health concerns, suicide and self-harm.
"More than 75 per cent of mental health issues develop before a person turns 25. Local headspace services are important to help young people to get back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future," Mr Webb said.
"While we've seen positive changes in addressing the stigma of mental health, there's still more to do - especially at the current time when our community is facing so many challenges.
"Investment in this service is a great step in supporting young locals in an accessible and youth-friendly location."
- READ MORE: Wellbeing in the spotlight at Kurri High
Headspace's Cessnock premises is next door to the Samaritans Information and Neighbourhood Centre, which recently relocated from the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre building.
Samaritans services, including the emergency relief centre, financial and problem gambling counselling, Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat and the Care Navigator program, operate from the neighbourhood centre.
Headspace will be open Tuesday to Thursday, and appointments can be made on 4931 1000. Support is also available via eheadspace.org.au.
Meanwhile, Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon has expressed his disappointment that the Federal Government has not delivered a full-service headspace facility in Cessnock.
Both Labor and the Coalition pledged to open a headspace in Cessnock as part of last year's Federal Election campaign.
"Cessnock has always had a limited and inadequate outreach service. The National Party candidate matched Labor's commitment by promising a full-service headspace and that's what we deserve," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"Anything less is a broken election promise in a town where the service is desperately needed.
"This simply isn't good enough. I will continue to pressure the government to deliver on their promises to Hunter locals."