Canberra's second headspace centre to open in Tuggeranong

headspace Canberra celebrated its 10th-anniversary last year. Photo: headspace.

The ACT’s second headspace centre will open in Tuggeranong early next year and provide access to free or low cost mental and physical health care in south Canberra.

The centre will be funded by the ACT Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks grants program.

The decision to open the new centre follows the Review of Children and Young People in the ACT by the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing which heard that half of the ACT’s young people and children have difficulty accessing mental health services.

“We know there is a lack of services for young people and unacceptable waiting times for many existing services in the ACT,” said the CEO of Capital Health Network (CHN), Megan Cahill, which provides the headspace service.

“This new headspace centre will help meet the needs of young people.”

headspace Youth National Reference Group Member Emma shares her tips to look after your mental health this World Mental Health Day. Discover more resources ? https://t.co/pDRdlo0wrP #WMHD2020 @AUMentalHealth pic.twitter.com/Db3pDeoNLd

— headspace (@headspace_aus) October 10, 2020

Tuggeranong was chosen as the site of the new centre after a feasibility study conducted by the Youth Coalition of the ACT found that a significant number of young people from Tuggeranong were travelling to participate in headspace programs in Braddon.

The centre will be in Tuggeranong’s Town Centre to make it more accessible via public transport. Parking is also available.

The announcement came in the ACT’s mental health month and after $45.7 million was put aside in the Federal Budget for the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program delivered at headspace.

The IPS helps young people with a mental health condition participate in the workforce. The funding will allow the program to be expanded to an additional 26 centres, taking the national total to 50.

The program used to be offered in person in Canberra, but this changed due to COVID-19. Other programs are still being offered in its stead and young people can access help online or over the phone via e-headspace.

headspace services are available around at Braddon, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Bega and Goulburn. For more information, including other locations, visit headspace.