Mind Australia in conjunction with headspace National is proud to announce the opening of a new headspace service in Box Hill. 

Funded by the federal government via the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, the service will provide free mental health and wellbeing support to young people in the Box Hill region aged 12 to 25 years. 

headspace services are a one-stop shop where young people and their families can access social and clinical support. They are inclusive and welcoming for young people seeking support for challenges related to their mental and physical health, work, school or study, alcohol and other drugs, and gender or sexuality. 

Mind Australia CEO Gill Callister said Mind already operates an established range of youth services in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, including youth residential, youth prevention and recovery care (PARC), adventure-based programs and two other headspace services. 

“Mind Australia is proud of the contribution we are able to make to the lives of young people through headspace services in Greensborough – and now Box Hill,” Ms Callister said. 

“headspace services are valuable and much needed resources, helping not just young people but their families and friends. 

“We look forward to providing these important mental health and wellbeing supports to young people in the Box Hill region.” 

Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network CEO, Janine Wilson, said the new centre will improve access to local mental health services for young people in the community, especially as they navigate life post lockdowns. 

“We saw a surge in demand for mental health services in the last year across our eastern metro catchment, with an increase of 22% since 2017. The City of Whitehorse has upwards of 24,000 young people living in the area, and a number of them would greatly benefit from this service,” Ms Wilson said. 

Federal member for Chisholm, Dr Carina Garland, said the headspace service was a welcome addition to the community. 

“Mental health support is so important for young people. Two thirds of people who will experience a mental disorder have symptoms emerge before they turn 21, and the reality is there just have not been enough services in our community,” Dr Garland said. 

The Box Hill headspace will open later this year. 

A location for headspace Box Hill will be announced soon. 

To learn more about Mind Australia support services near you contact Mind Connect on 1300 286 463. 

If this article raises concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders can also call 13 YARN (13 92 76) a 24/7 national crisis support telephone service staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.