The Batemans Bay headspace youth mental health service has been given extra funding to help cut waiting times for young people needing mental health support.
Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips was joined by Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, to annoiunce the funding boost.
“We know that this money is going to be directed towards increasing access to youth workers and dedicated dietitians, and to support a local response to the imcreasing complexity and demand of mental health issues we know are being experienced by young people in Batemans Bay,” Ms McBride said.
“Here at Batemans Bay we know that the wait times can be for to six months for a young person to get the support that they need, so this boost in funding will help ease those waiting times so that young people can get the support they need, when they need it, and ne linked in with a youth worker, a menhtal health clinician, a dietitian to get the right support for them at the right time.”
Mrs Phillips said the funding would go a long way towards supporting local young people.
“Right now, demand for mental health support is at an all-time high across Australia,” she said.
“We know that, particularly in our region following years of drought, bushfires, floods and the pandemic, many local young people are struggling.
“I have fought long and hard for this headspace to be built and delivered quickly in the wake of the bushfires to give young people in the Batemans Bay area access to these essential mental health services.
“I am serious about improving access to local health and mental health services and this funding is welcome news for our teenagers and young adults who deserve to have the care they need when they need it, close to home,” Mrs Phillips said.
The funding is part of a wider $44 million announcement for 57 headspace services across Australia under the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Grant Opportunity.
Image: Fiona Phillips MP
