Increased funding for youth mental health in the NT

Anglicare NT welcomes the announcement yesterday by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments of a $5.7 million investment into two headspace centres. The funding will boost staff and resources, enabling more young Territorians to access appropriate mental health services.

Access to mental health services across the Territory is a significant issue. The number of young people accessing headspace centres is continuously high and wait times can occur.

The events of the past two years have put added stress on the mental health and wellbeing of many young people. Young people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic with major changes to study, home and social lives. Young people who are struggling need to know there is always someone they can talk to – be it a trusted adult, a friend, a family member or a service like headspace.

This funding will allow more young people to get mental health and wellbeing support as early as possible. Getting support early can reduce the chance of a young person developing more serious problems.

Anglicare NT hopes the funding will support mental health services for young people to expand into all regions of the Northern Territory. Young people across the whole Territory need to be able to access mental health supports, not just those living in the main population centres.

Anglicare NT offers mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 12 to 25 years through headspace centres in Darwin and Katherine. Planning is currently underway for the development of a new headspace centre to be based in Palmerston.