A site has been secured in Yass for the headspace satellite service that will be linked to headspace Goulburn and is scheduled to open this year.
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It will provide services for early intervention, mental health, drug and alcohol, and work and study support for young people aged 12 to 25.
Headspace Yass services manager Gail Davies said that they will continue to provide mental health support and counselling support for young people.
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"We will be working with the clinicians to look at the issues and what types of skills and strategies are needed to help young people. Headspace supports clients with mild to moderate presentations around their mental health service," she said.
Presently, Headspace is looking for young people aged 16-25 to join their Youth Reference Group (YRG).
"These young people will help us look at issues in the community closely to see where we can support young people in Yass. The YRG will also help us in the design process of setting up and will be involved in our hiring process as well," Ms Davies said.
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Grand Pacific Health has been appointed as the lead agency to deliver headspace services in Yass. "Grand Pacific Health has proven success in supporting young people and currently operates headspace centres in Wollongong, Nowra, Goulburn and Bega," Dianne Kitcher, CEO of the South Eastern NSW PHN, said.
"They have leased premises in Yass that will be fitted out as a dedicated youth health service," she said.
Meanwhile, Ron de Jongh, CEO of Grand Pacific Health, said headspace Goulburn has been offering outreach activity to Yass, two days per week, since October 2019 and will continue to provide this service until the new satellite opens.
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"Since we commenced outreach services to Yass, referrals have been growing steadily, demonstrating there is indeed a need for youth-specific mental health services in the region. The feedback we are getting is that headspace is being identified as a safe place to go and we're looking forward to expanding this work in Yass," he said.
Kristy McBain MP, Member for Eden-Monaro, applauded the lease agreement as a positive step in establishing the much-needed service.
"Young people across our region have been through a lot recently with the drought, bushfires and COVID-19, and these experiences can certainly impact mental health and our ability to get through these tough times," Ms McBain said.
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"We know early intervention is key and I am thrilled to see the headspace satellite service in Yass one step closer today," she added.
The new satellite service has been commissioned by COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN with funding from the Australian Government's national headspace program.
Young people and/or their families wanting to access the current outreach service in Yass can do so by contacting headspace Goulburn on 4824 4944.
More information is available on their website: https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/goulburn/
