Kiama will get a full headspace centre if an Albanese Labor Government is elected in May.

“I understand at SENTRAL Youth Services [run by Council] there’s been a 70 per cent increase in presentations here, with staff seeing 20-30 young people a day,” said Emma McBride, Labor’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health on making the $5 million commitment.

“We know that early intervention works, we know that half of all health problems emerge before someone is 14 years of age and we know that children and young people of this community deserve proper support.

“They don’t need to be waiting two or three or six months for the care and support they need.

“In a community like this where there is a growing and unmet need, this will provide the full suite of headspace services across the full week and that will work very well with the existing headspace services that are in Nowra and Wollongong.”

The planned headspace centre would include a full suite of clinical and non-clinical services, and Ms McBride said the investment would have priority in the first term of the Labor Government. The money will cover establishment costs and ongoing funding.

The announcement was made at Kiama Council’s SENTRAL Youth Services today, in the presence of the Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips, Mayor Neil Reilly, Councillor Draisma and Councillor Larkins.

“We know that the Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo community have suffered so much trauma over many years and one of the things we’ve wanted to do is improve mental health support for people,” said Ms Phillips.

“People in this community are doing so much to support our young people but it’s time the government stepped up and supported them. This great announcement will bring generational change for years to come.”

Deputy Mayor Draisma said the local headspace would benefit the community greatly in providing the support they need.

“We’ve known for a very long time that our community services as well as our private mental health services are struggling to cope with the amount of people reaching out for assistance.

“We’ve worked hard to achieve what we need here which is a fully functional headspace which will provide a swathe of services to our community and provide the additional support that we desperately need to secure help for our young people and provide a pathway for them to seek assistance throughout the course of their life.”

* For 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Other services include Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636, Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800, MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 *