Headspace Top End – Youth Mental Health Initiative
On Wednesday 28th February 2007, it was publicly announced that a proposal to establish the ‘headspace’ – Top End service was successful. The funds will be made available through the Australian Governments national initiative the ‘headspace’ - Youth Mental Health Foundation. ‘headspace’ -Top End is one of ten large grants to be allocated across Australia. Anglicare NT is the lead agency of a local consortium, which includes Danila Dilba Aboriginal Medical Service, Top End Division of General Practice and the NT Department of Health and Community Services.
Supported by 12 organisations (in addition to those involved in the consortium), the proposal evolved out of a series of interagency meetings, consultations with service providers, local area research and needs assessment. The link agencies include consumer/carer groups, local councils, secondary schools, alcohol & other drug services, youth services, employment services and mental health service providers.
Once fully established i.e. staffed, with adequate facilities and visiting specialist services in place, headspace will;
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build the awareness, knowledge and skills base of young people, carers, health & community service workers and the general community regarding young people, mental health and the interface with alcohol and other drugs.
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Improve young people's access to primary health, mental health, alcohol & other drugs, counselling and education, training and employment services through the co-location of services and consolidation of strategic links to other organizations including local government, secondary schools, carer/consumer groups, and other service providers.
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have access to relevant therapeutic and developmental group work programs such as resilience building courses, depression support groups, drug & alcohol education programs etc.
The ‘headspace-Top End’ service based in Palmerston, whilst focusing on the provision of direct assistance to young people from the Palmerston & Rural area will be open to young people from other urban, rural, regional, and remote centres of the Top End. This approach reflects the mobility of the population and limited services available in some regional and remote areas.
