Pilbara headspace opens in Northwest

Anglicare WA is delighted to see that its proposal for an innovative youth mental health service model ‘headspace Pilbara,’ has now been launched in the North West of the State.

Anglicare WA, with funding provided by the WA Primary health Alliance (WAPHA), suggested a different model of headspace delivery – one which involved more mobile outreach – and which WAPHA and the headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation has agreed Anglicare WA could trial.

Spokesperson for Anglicare WA, Philippa Boldy, said her organisation recognised the need for additional mental health services across the Pilbara and wanted to shift the focus from clients coming into the service, over to one where the service goes out to clients. This was based on extensive community consultation and co-design.     

“We will have staff based in Newman, Port Hedland and Karratha, but the innovative  approach we are taking with headspace Pilbara means that our counsellors and support staff will be out in the field, taking their counselling and psychology skills to where it’s needed across the wide geography of the region, and to work together with existing health and community services to meet young people’s wellbeing needs,” Ms Boldy said.

headspace is part of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation which provides early intervention mental health services to young people aged 12 – 25 years.

The service is designed to make it as easy as possible for a young person and their family to access the help they need for problems affecting their wellbeing.

Ms Boldy said the four key areas the service covers include mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.

“Anglicare WA is well known throughout the North West for the work we do with family and domestic violence, grief counselling and financial counselling, but we are also engaged in a range of mental health programs around WA.

“It’s wonderful on this occasion to be partnering with WAPHA and headspace to bring this service to young people in the Pilbara,” she said.

MEDIA CONTACT

Emma-Jane Morcombe
Media and Marketing Manager
Anglicare WA 
Phone: 08 9263 2039 
Email: emmajane.morcombe@anglicarewa.org.au