The launch of a new online navigation tool means trusted free or low-cost local services are now easier to find for people with mental health concerns, their friends, family and carers.
South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) has launched Headstart South Western Sydney.
Headstart provides information relevant to the local government areas of Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee. It filters services based on a person’s demographics and mental health needs.
People can find information specific to their age, location and mental health need.
The navigation tool includes local services for managing conditions like anxiety and/or depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, and support for challenging situations like grief and loss, domestic and family violence, and gambling concerns.
Headstart brings information about local services into one, easy-to-search platform and includes contact details and referral pathways for those services.
SWSPHN chief executive officer Keith McDonald says Headstart was designed to make finding help for mental health concerns easier for people of all ages, backgrounds, level of need and personal circumstances.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly put a strain on not only the physical health of our community but on our mental health and wellbeing, making easy access to free, localised and targeted information and services is more important than ever,” he said.
“People can visit the Headstart website, set their suburb and answer a few simple questions which will connect them with the services best suited to their needs and eligibility.”
SWSPHN mental health and alcohol and other drugs manager Jade Weidner thanked local mental health service providers and people with lived experience who played an important role in shaping and developing Headstart.
“Their valuable input assisted us in developing a tool which will meet the specific needs of our community,” she said.
Visit headstart.org.au/sws
