The launch of headspace Kiama evolved from an important community need to have a mental health service for young people in the area.

And Member for Gilmore is proud that the office on Manning Street is making a difference in the lives of local youth

“The community were really advocating for that support for families so I fought to get this service up and running,” she said.

“There's a headspace in Shellharbour and Nowra, and Kiama is a bit smaller in population so to actually have it here, is a real win.”

Phillips and Labor Party Senator Tim Ayres dropped in at headspace Kiama during the week to get an update on the impact the centre has made since it opened in August.

“The feedback from the community has been really, really good,” she added.

“Headspace really adapts to the community in terms of needs.

“There were a number of suicides in the community across the LGA. And from that, there were a lot of good initiatives and just people working together on what can we do to help and that's where that need for a headspace came from.

“It was also to support many adults that wanted to support young people and our local school - teachers needed that sort of support.

“That's certainly one thing that I really remember from going to many different community sessions where people were just crying out for help, adults saying we need to support our young people. We're trying to do it ourselves, but we need that support.

“That's what's here and that access to that specialist support as well.”

Senator Ayres described Phillips as “one of the most effective local members in the country”.

“Her advocacy on this question has been relentless and has gone over many, many years

“It's a real privilege to come back with her, with this facility, six months after it's been opened to watch the progress.

“I know that she'll keep focused on how progress has been made here in working with the staff and the community on this. It is a real achievement. It doesn't happen by accident.

“It is a real honour to meet these staff. The work that they are doing is so crucial. I think in a few years' time, people in Kiama will just assume that this is the way that this has always been - that there's this glue joining young people up to services, supporting families, supporting teachers, supporting community leaders. It will be as if it's always been here, but it hasn't been here and they're playing a remarkable role.”

Headspace Kiama manager Charo Seventy said they have key workers on staff who draw on their lived experience of mental illness and recovery to provide support in the centre or at the beach or at a safe location out in the community.

“The response from the community has been really amazing,” he said.

“There’s so many people that I’ve met in Kiama who are putting so much time, effort and love into supporting young people.

“I think Kiama’s been through a lot and it’s really heartening to see people putting in the time and coming to us to get some ideas to support young people with their mental health.

“One of the main things we’ve done is to work with Kiama High School, providing outreach there. Usually on a Monday and a Tuesday we have counsellors who can see students at school to provide support.”

Headspace Kiama also has a community engagement officer who raises awareness about mental health services at locations like the library and the youth centre.

A free Youth Mental Health First Aid training course is starting next month to assist people in the community who support young people every day.

Over two days of face-to-face training participants will:

✅ Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges in adolescents

✅ Gain practical skills to support young people experiencing mental health difficulties

✅ Receive expert-led guidance in responding in a crisis & connecting someone to appropriate services

This training, typically valued at over $300, is free and will be held on 21-22 May but has already been booked out.