New headspace Strathpine centre opens according to plan

Opening ahead of schedule, headspace Strathpine is now providing free or low-cost Medicare services to young people in Strathpine and the surrounding region.

The Australian Government-funded service is a holistic mental health service for young people aged 12-25, and provides mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs or work and study support.

Strathpine local Jesse Cotter was thrilled to hear the service had opened. She had participated in the initial community consultation and tender selection panel, and is now on the headspace Strathpine Youth Reference Group.

“It was amazing to be a part of the process of seeing a headspace go from paper to reality. It will be great to have a locally relevant youth mental health services that can tackle the presenting issues in our community,” Ms Cotter said.

Brisbane North PHN Executive Manager for Commissioned Services Paul Martin thanked lead agency Open Minds for its work setting up the new headspace centre, saying it would improve functioning of the local health system.

“headspace Strathpine will make an important contribution to mental health in an underserviced part of the Brisbane North PHN region,” Mr Martin said.

“We are fully focused on implementing the objectives and actions of the region’s five-year joint regional mental health plan. These include ensuring that young people and their families can more easily access the right support when they need it,” he said.

Brisbane North PHN and Metro North Hospital and Health Service have jointly sponsored the Planning for Wellbeing regional plan to improve mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug treatment services.

Work undertaken under the plan has already secured additional funding for existing headspace centres in the region to better support young people with more complex needs, and has delivered outreach support to Bribie Island and the Kilcoy region.

“I urge service providers and consumers to visit planningforwellbeing.org.au to see how we are working together to help improve the lives of those affected by mental illness, suicide or problematic drug use,” he said.

The PHN announced in June 2020 that an Open Minds-led consortium would run headspace Strathpine, following its successful application through a competitive tender process.

In a media announcement, Federal Member for Dickson Peter Dutton said COVID-19 had increased demand for mental health services and that headspace Strathpine would help meet this demand.

“Given the urgency arising from the pandemic, the Australian Government was determined to deliver this new headspace centre as quickly as possible,” Mr Dutton said.

“Improving mental health and suicide prevention remains one of our Government’s highest priorities and this new centre will help many young people in our community for years to come.”

headspace Strathpine is located at 441 Gympie Road, Strathpine. To make an appointment, call 07 3465 3000 or visit headspace.org.au.