Good place for headspace

Brittany Shanahan

Heidelberg LeaderPreston Leader  / Northcote Leader 
5 July 2016

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More than two years later their plan has come to fruition.

Banyule, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Darebin councils were among the dozens of organisations who successfully lobbied the Federal Government for funding to provide the new facility in Main St, Greensborough.

“It really has come from a community drive to say we need more support for our young people because there was a gap,” headspace Greensborough community engagement officer Liz Wyndham said.

Mental illness is the biggest health issue facing young Australians with one in four experiencing depression, anxiety or problematic substance abuse. 

The centre, which will be run by Mind Australia, provides free support to people aged between 12 and 25 who want to address concerns around mental health, alcohol, drugs, general health or other issues which affect their wellbeing. 

Service manager at headspace Greensborough, Christine Denton, said the service, which opened its doors on April 11, had already catered for 200 people and expected the number to rise above 1000 within a year. 

She said one of the major issues for youth prior to opening was they had to travel to Collingwood or Craigieburn to visit the next closest centre.

“By the time they get to the station in an unfamiliar territory, they’ve lost the courage to visit a headspace centre,” Ms Denton said. 

“Everyone is familiar with Greensborough. The train station, bus depot, shopping centre and Watermarc are all on our doorstep.”

Mind Australia chief executive Dr Gerry Naughtin said the new centre would provide services to fill the early intervention gap. 

“(It’s) an exciting and innovative project that enables young people, families and carers to access services and get help early and easily,” Dr Naughtin said. 

Activities help youth to open up on issues

Brittany Shanahan

Preston Leader and Northcote Leader
5 July 2016

Breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness is what more than a dozen volunteers plan to do through the headspace
Greensborough youth advisory committee.

The group, which is made up of young people aged between 12 and 25, are looking at a variety of ways to engage youth and boost their mental wellbeing.

During the school holidays, they provide activities such as a movie days, board game sessions and vision boarding.

Community engagement officer Liz Wyndham said while the school holiday program had already been organised, the group was open to suggestions for future activities.

“The activities have been designed to allow young people to come in, see the space and feel comfortable to have a chat,” Ms Wyndham said.

“We will continue to develop groups … and it could be a range of things like a study well program, striking the lifestyle balance, mindful meditation.”

Volunteer Liam Miles, from St Helena Secondary School, said he hoped to create a peer-support group with the information he has absorbed from the centre.

“This is my home and I want to do everything I can for it,” Mr Miles said.

Volunteers strive to create a supportive peer environment

Heidelberg Leader
5 July 2016

Breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness is what more than a dozen volunteers plan to do through the headspace Greensborough youth advisory committee.

The group, which is made up of young people aged between 12 and 25, is looking at ways to engage youth and boost their mental health.

During these school holidays they will be providing activities such as a movie day, board games session and vision boarding.

Community engagement officer Liz Wyndham said while the school holiday program had been organised, the group was open to suggestions for future activities.

“The activities have been designed to allow young people to come in, see the space and feel comfortable to have a chat,” Ms Wyndham said.

“We will continue to develop groups. It could be a range of things like a study well program, striking the lifestyle balance, mindful meditation.”

Volunteer Liam Miles, from St Helena Secondary School, said he hoped to create a peer-support group with the information he has absorbed from the centre.

“This is my home and I want to do everything I can for it,” Mr Miles said.