Hawkesbury Headspace Fast-Tracked

It is no secret that the Hawkesbury region has been ravaged over the last couple of years.

We’ve seen floods, fire, a global pandemic, and more floods.

When events such as these keep rolling in it can be difficult to keep one’s head above water, so to speak, and mental health can start to deteriorate.

Last Saturday morning, August 13, Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, joined by Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, met with some Windsor residents to announce an investment that will see Headspace funding delivered 12 months ahead of schedule.

Ms Templeman said that when a flood comes and then goes, it isn’t actually over.

“That’s when a lot of the really hard stuff starts, and particularly when we’ve had so many floods,” Ms Templeman said.

“We know the cumulative effects that that’s been having, and that’s why I’ve urged for improved mental health services for our community to make sure our kids can bounce back and be resilient, flood after flood, natural disaster after natural disaster.”

Assistant Minister for Mental Healtha nd Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride recognised Ms Templeman’s advocacy for mental heatlh services for the Hawkesbury.

“I know that this is something that is so close to your heart, and you have stood up for your community for years to be able to have proper youth mental health services,” Ms McBride said.

“Because of your advocacy today we can announce $1.1 million to fast-track Headspace Hawkesbury.

“Some of the floods here have been the worst in 44 years.

“We know that the cumulative trauma of natural disasters has a significant impact on people, particularly young people.

Young Hawkesbury resident, Gemma said it would be good to be able to point people in the direction of Headspace Hawkesbury if they need someone to talk to.

“You can get the help you need if you need it,” Gemma said.

“If people feel like they can’t talk to people in their families, or if they don’t have friends that they can talk to they can go to a place where they know they can get help.”

One of the great things about Headspace is that it isn’t a place you go to when you have the answers, it’s a place you go to when you don’t have the answers; you don’t know what you need.

They will help you find the pathway that works for you to get you to where you want to be.

In addition to Headspace Hawkesbury, the pop-up Head to Health Centre in the Hawkesbury will receive an injection of $4 million to make the service permanent so that people who need help can get it when they need it close to home.

• Topics:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing