Young people affected by the recent bushfires will soon be able to access youth friendly, confidential mental health and wellbeing services through a bushfire response service in Batemans Bay.
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An interim service, currently in the planning phase, will commence in the coming weeks.
It will continue to operate until a full Headspace centre is established later this year, providing services to the shire.
CEO of South Eastern NSW PHN Dianne Kitcher said the Eurobodalla Shire has been identified as an area in high need of specialised youth mental health services.
READ MORE: Batemans Bay Headspace due mid-2020
"Local GPs also identify the lack of local, accessible services for young people, particularly relating to mental health as a key need" Ms Kitcher said.
"We are very pleased that under this interim arrangement with Headspace National, we are able to establish this bushfire response to provide much needed support to young people in Batemans Bay and surrounds whilst establishing the Headspace centre."
Headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said commencing services in Batemans Bay will extend the important early intervention work operating across the country.
"We're very proud to be working with South Eastern NSW PHN to commence Headspace services for young people in the area," he said.
"It's critical for young people in Batemans Bay and surrounding towns to have somewhere they can go for support, particularly in the context of the community's recovery from the bushfires.
"It's great that Headspace, a service trusted by young people - can provide this support," said Mr Trethowan.
The Headspace centre will be set up by COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN in partnership with Headspace National.
Once opened, Headspace Batemans Bay will be one of six centres funded by South Eastern NSW PHN, with three of these centres (Nowra, Bega and Queanbeyan) being provided additional funding to support young people following the recent bushfires.
