Joint Media Release: $3 million for new headspace youth mental health services in Mount Barker and Victor Harbour

The Morrison Government will provide teenagers and young adults in Mount Barker and Victor Harbor with access to free or low cost youth mental health services close to home after a $3 million injection of funds.

The Government will provide $800,000 in 2018-19 to set up new headspace satellite centres in Mount Barker and Victor Harbor, in addition to $760,000 annually from 2019-20 for three years to operate the two services.

Senator for South Australia Anne Ruston said it’s vital that young people have a place to turn when they are experiencing mental health issues or related life problems.

“Headspace is proven and effective, matching the real life problems that many young people face in mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug use, and school or work,” Senator Ruston said.

“The Country SA Primary Health Network had identified The Mount Barker and Victor Harbor regions as areas of high need for youth mental health services.

“This funding will directly benefit these local communities.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the Morrison Government continues to expand the headspace network, as part of its ongoing commitment to improving mental health services for all Australians.

“We are supporting headspace services with more than $96 million funding this year to improve the mental health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of young Australians,” Minister Hunt said.

“Our government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives.”

Background Information:

Country SA Primary Health Network (PHN), which is responsible for mental health services in the region, will receive the extra funding for the Mount Barker and Victor Harbor headspace satellites.

The new headspace services will be subsidiaries of the existing headspace centre in Murray Bridge, and will build on existing youth-focussed supports in the area.

Both areas have age standardised suicide rates higher than the national average.

In the Adelaide Hills area, which includes Mount Barker, the age standardised suicide rate was 14.1 per 100,000 people from 2013 to 2017, compared to the national rate of 12.1 per 100,000. The Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island area, which includes Victor Harbor, has an even higher suicide rate of 16.7 per 100,000 people.