Young people seeking mental health support can find it at the region’s newest headspace centre in Edmondson Park.
The centre will provide young people aged 12 to 25 and their families and friends with support for their mental health, physical and sexual health, work and study goals, as well as assistance with alcohol and other drugs.
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) is funding the centre which is being operated by Grand Pacific Health.
SWSPHN chief executive officer Keith McDonald welcomed the opening of headspace Edmondson Park, and congratulated Grand Pacific Health on their achievement in establishing the centre.
“The service was designed with young people, and their families and friends, in mind,” he said.
“It will offer invaluable support to young people in our region.”
Mr McDonald said SWSPHN was pleased to be able to facilitate and fund services like headspace which improved access to mental health services in our region.
“This is a wonderful new chapter for the youth of our region and recognises their importance in our future,” he said.
Grand Pacific Health is a recognised health service provider which is currently the lead agency for seven headspace centres across NSW, including a centre at Liverpool.
Executive manager Jenny Valdivia said Grand Pacific Health was dedicated to ensuring young people had access to vital mental health support.
“The opening of headspace Edmondson Park marks a crucial step in bridging gaps in youth services across South Western Sydney,” she said.
“We are proud to offer a welcoming and supportive environment, helping our young community thrive.”
Headspace CEO Jason Trethowan highlighted the significance of the new facility for youth mental health in the community.
“Nearly two in five young people in Australia aged 16 to 24 have experienced a mental health disorder in the previous year,” he said.
“That’s why the work happening at headspace Edmondson Park, and at headspace centres across the country, is so important.
“Providing young people with a place where they can get friendly and inclusive mental health services is at the core of all we do at headspace.
“Young people are amazing and, with support from organisations like headspace, they can and do weather tough times to get back on track,” he said.
To access the service, young people can drop into their local headspace centre, or phone to make an appointment, without a doctor’s referral.
The Edmondson Park centre will complement other SWSPHN-funded youth specific mental health services including headspace Campbelltown, Liverpool and Bankstown, and ReFrame in the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Shires.
Headspace Edmondson Park is located at Shop AG02 Ed Square, 52 Soldiers Parade.
