Katoomba's headspace satellite officially opened today (Wednesday, August 19).
Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network (NBMPHN) and headspace Katoomba, led by Parramatta Mission, have been working behind the scenes to ensure the opinions of young people were factored into the build of the satellite.
The centre will provide support for mental health, work and study, as well as alcohol and other drugs.
headspace Katoomba will also provide support to those that affected by the recent bushfires. Parramatta Mission is currently introducing the bushfire relief service across the Blue Mountains region - a service which will use headspace Katoomba as a hub to provide support to young people affected.
Keith Hamilton, Senior Minister CEO at Parramatta Mission, said: "The need for services such as headspace in the Blue Mountains region is well documented, we are looking forward to working with other youth services in the region to make a collective impact in the community."
Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said: "We are so excited to see this vital service for young people and their families open in the Blue Mountains. Early intervention programs such as headspace are critical, as they not only impact young people's lives in the present but can influence the whole community as these young people mature into adulthood.
"Given the unique challenges of the COVID pandemic, I want to recognise the hard work and dedication of all the people involved in getting this service up and running. During these unprecedented times, we hope that this service will be a safe place for young people to seek the help and care they need for their mental health concerns."
headspace Katoomba senior clinician, Debra Mainwaring, highlighted how easy it will be for young people to access headspace services.
"Young people, their friends and family, GPs, school counsellors, and anyone else supporting a young person, will be able to call us or drop into our service to seek help. We will be available for information or for someone to talk to confidentially about any issue young people may be facing."
headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said of the opening: "We know young people across the region have been through a lot recently, and it's great that headspace Katoomba will now be able to provide young people with timely, tailored and youth friendly support, to help them get through tough times and back on track."
Liberal Senator Marise Payne said headspace Katoomba had come a long way since the government first committed funding towards its establishment in April of last year.
"We knew from the start that getting a headspace which truly met the needs of local young people, and which complemented existing support services, was absolutely critical," she said.
"That's why NBMPHN and Parramatta Mission have consulted widely on the centre's design and put the voices of young people first. I have been pleased to a play a small part in that process, when in December of last year the NBMPHN and I held a youth roundtable to help establish some key design principles."
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said the opening day was "long overdue, but it is gratifying to finally see a dedicated youth mental health service open in the Blue Mountains".
"I first raised the gap in service with the then-minister in 2013 when the Penrith headspace opened, and I can't help but think about all the young people who might have missed out on the support they needed over the last seven years.
"Obviously, I'd like this to have been a full-service, stand-alone headspace, but I trust the collaboration with other local services will make this a gamechanger for kids as young as 12 as they grapple with the mental health challenges that the world throws at them, and ensure they get early access to the right support."
headspace Katoomba is located at 37 Waratah Street, Katoomba and will be opened Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (later appointments will be available soon). Given the challenges with COVID-19, people are encourage dto call and speak to one of the clinicians on 1800 478 626 before walking into the centre.
For more information, please visit www.headspace.org.au.
