October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and today is National Headspace Day.

Headspace is the Government's flagship program for the provision of services for young people aged 12-25 experiencing, or at risk of, mental illness. It is a trusted model of care that is recognised by young people, their families and communities for providing youth friendly mental health support.

Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, is using the day as an opportunity to again call for a dedicated Headspace service for Kiama. The nearest centres are in Wollongong and Nowra, although the service can be accessed online or by phone.

“The COVID pandemic has shown that we can never take the mental wellbeing of our community for granted. With an economy heavily reliant on tourism, however, with shops closed and cafes without customers, many young people have lost income opportunities”, Fiona said.

“The mental health and wellbeing of our young people is too important, so, this Headspace Day, I am again calling on the Federal Government to establish a dedicated Headspace service in Kiama.”

Ms Phillips has established for the community to show support for the initiative by signing an online petition.

Earlier this year, the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward also established a petition on the same issue.

Mental Health Awareness Month has also spurred Labor for Kiama Council to call for Kiama Council to make any of its under-utilised space available for mental health services.

“We would like to see more private and government-funded practitioners operating in the Kiama area, and as such, are prepared to open up some of our Council spaces for free to encourage those practitioners into the area to operate their badly needed services at no cost for the space,” says Labor for Kiama candidate Imogen Draisma.

If you or someone you know needs help, eheadspace is available online at: www.headspace.org.au or on 1800 650 890.