YOUTH in the Wimmera are set to benefit from a $51.8 million funding increase to expand headspace services.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The federal government announced the additional funding last week, which is on top of the $95.7 million the service receives each year.
A total of $39 million has been allocated towards services and staff, while the remaining $12.8 million is earmarked for digital portal eheadspace.
Headspace Horsham manager Liz Rowe said the increase would allow more young people to access services.
“We see this funding as a positive step forward, it shows that federal government recognises the need for better access to mental health services for young people who live in rural and remote areas,” she said.
Ms Rowe said she hoped the funding could help enable young people to access telehealth – a new service delivered via video conference.
"Telehealth provides opportunities for young people, who have no access to public transport, to access mental health services through online appointments,” she said.
She said the headspace team had recently visited regional schools which would act as safe places for students to access telehealth.
“They have been talking to teachers and students about how they can utilise the service,” she said.
“Through secure safe rooms at their school, young people can go online and access the same services that our city counterparts can access face to face, the only difference is that there is a screen in between.
“It really opens up the world and makes it a little bit smaller for people living in remote areas.”
Western Victoria Primary Health Network currently contracts four headspace services across the region in Geelong, Warrnambool, Horsham and Ballarat, with two satellite services in Drysdale and Portland.
Network chief executive Dr Leanne Beagley welcomed the increase.
“Details about the new funding will be available in due course but we know that it will assist Western Victoria PHN to address increased demand across the region from young people seeking help, provide additional clinical services, reduce waiting times and improve service delivery,” she said.
Headspace Horsham is located at 77 Hamilton Street, Horsham. The office can be contacted on 5381 1543.