HEADSPACE Coffs Harbour (hCH) recently welcomed a visit from Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride, along with Healthy North Coast’s CEO Monika Wheeler, and Director of Integrated Community Wellbeing Aimee McNeill.
The visit focused on the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program, which has recently supported the refurbishment of the waiting area so that it is more welcoming, calming and youth-friendly.
During the visit, Assistant Minister McBride met staff, toured the centre, and discussed how targeted funding at other headspace centres is helping services respond to growing demand for timely, accessible mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25.
“The visit was really positive and supportive,” Centre Manager, headspace Coffs Harbour Sharna Waugh told News Of The Area.
“The atmosphere was warm and conversational, and it was clear the Minister was genuinely interested in hearing directly from staff about the realities of delivering youth mental health services in a regional community.
“The Minister asked thoughtful questions about demand at the centre, how long young people are waiting for support, and how improvements to the physical space can help young people feel calmer and more comfortable when they arrive.
“It was encouraging to be able to show how targeted funding can make a very real difference to young people’s experience of accessing care.”
The refurbishment of the headspace Coffs Harbour reception and waiting area was supported by Australian Government funding received under the Demand Management and Enhancement Program, which is delivered locally via Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network (PHN).
It is part of the broader Australian Government investment in youth mental health services.
headspace Coffs Harbour provides free and confidential mental health, physical health, alcohol and drug, and work and study support for young people across the Coffs Coast.
By Andrea FERRARI
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