Headspace centre push gears up

The Pilbara is a step closer to gaining a headspace centre, part of an election pledge from Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price.

During her campaign, Ms Price promised to work towards setting up a headspace for the Pilbara to directly combat mental health issues in the electorate.

Ms Price has said she was pleased with the progress of her election promise, and would soon meet with the primary health network which will provide funding for the service.

In the weeks leading up to last year’s Federal election, Ms Price gained more than 200 signatures on a petition which was presented to the Government to open a headspace in the vast isolated region of the Pilbara.

“Approximately one in four young people aged 16-24 may experience a mental illness at some point in their young lives,” Ms Price said.

“Headspace has been a vital part of the Australian Government’s preventative health services for the last 10 years, providing teenagers and young adults with affordable, youth-friendly mental health services through the headspace network.”

Ms Price said the support she received in her “mini campaign” was overwhelming and she has not forgotten her focus.

“Since the signing of the peti-tion in late 2016 I have been working with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabi-net and the Primary Health Network to secure a headspace for the Pilbara,” she said. “I am fighting to have a centre ope-ned in Karratha and Hedland because of the vast size of the Pilbara.”

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, covering four core areas of mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.

“I’m excited about the prospect of headspace opening in the Pilbara,”Ms Price said.