New headspace for the City of Monash to be located in Syndal

A new headspace centre for the City of Monash – anticipated to open in March 2021 – will provide young people in the area with better access to mental health support.

headspace Syndal will be operated by Alfred Health through consortium partnerships with other key youth service providers. Alfred Health was appointed as lead agency, following a competitive tender process by Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN).


Photo from left to right: City of Monash Mayor Cr. Brian Little, Federal Member for Chisholm Gladys Liu MP, City of Monash Youth representative Jazzy Howlett, EMPHN CEO Janine Wilson, City of Monash Youth representative Arjit Sachdeva, City of Monash Youth representative Stacey Rindell and Alfred Health's Dr Campbell Thorpe.


headspace Syndal will be operated by Alfred Health through consortium partnerships with other key youth service providers. Alfred Health was appointed as lead agency, following a competitive tender process by Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN).

The headspace Syndal consortium led by Alfred Health includes Monash Youth Services (City of Monash), Access Employment Services, EACH, Gateway LLEN, Hawthorn Football Club and Launch Housing.

Located close to Syndal station, the service will allow young people aged 12 to 25 years to access support for mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, and work and study.

Federal Member for Chisholm, Ms Gladys Liu MP, welcomed headspace Syndal and its proximity to transport, local schools, shopping and service hubs. “Improving the mental wellbeing of our youth is of the utmost importance to myself and the Morrison Government.

“2020 has really highlighted the fragility of mental wellbeing. Many residents in Chisholm have been left emotionally and mentally depleted. Facilities like the new headspace Syndal play a crucial role in supporting the mental health of our youth. I’m thrilled that this new headspace in Syndal will be ready to function early next year.

“This vital facility is one of the commitments that I made at the 2019 election to be built in Chisholm. The Morrison Government and I will always deliver for Chisholm,” Ms Liu said.

City of Monash Mayor, Cr Brian Little said the headspace service couldn’t come at a more critical time for young people in Monash who have repeatedly communicated to Council that mental health is one of their biggest concerns. “Young people were telling us their concerns about mental health long before COVID-19 and we know the impacts of the pandemic have amplified the need for mental health services close to home,” Cr Little said.

“headspace is a recognised and trusted service for young people and we are excited and relieved to finally have this service in Monash. This has been the result of much advocacy on the part of our young people, past Mayors and teams at Council who have all recognised the vital need for a headspace in Monash.”

EMPHN CEO, Janine Wilson, said the new centre will improve access to local mental health services for young people in the community. “Boosting mental health services through a dedicated headspace centre in early 2021 aims to help young people in the Monash and surrounding areas get support for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression and social and emotional wellbeing.”

Alfred Health's Deputy Director AMAH Allied Health, Child, Youth and headspace, Glenda Pedwell said Alfred Health held a series of co-design workshops, to ensure the service is designed in partnership with young people and that they feel comfortable and free of stigma from first contact.

These workshops included representatives from the City of Monash Youth Services and other service providers familiar with the needs of young people in the area. “Alfred Health is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people, as well as supporting their families and networks. The absence of a headspace centre in the area meant that many young people living, 2 working and studying here would have been unable to access appropriate services locally. This centre heralds a new era of locally available mental health and wellbeing services.”

After delays securing a location and fitting out the centre due to COVID-19 restrictions, the headspace centre is planned to be open in Syndal from March 2021.

In the meantime, young people can access other available mental health services by contacting the free Australian Government-funded, HeadtoHelp service which assists Victorians of all ages affected by the pandemic find the best mental health support for them, by visiting www.headtohelp.com.au or by calling 1800 595 212.

eheadspace is also available and provides free, confidential and anonymous telephone and web-based support services to young people aged 12 to 25 years with, or at risk of developing, mild to moderate mental illness at www.headspace.org.au or on 1800 650 890.

headspace Syndal is funded by the Australian Government under the PHN program.