headspace Albany has expanded their premises, creating greater opportunities to support more young people and their families in a safe, inclusive and confidential space.
Located at St Emilie Way, the refreshed headspace Albany centre is around twice the size of the previous centre and has seven counselling rooms, including two large enough to host a family or group counselling session, as well as a GP room.
headspace Albany Manager, Andrew Wenzel, said the new centre will enable the team to provide much-needed services to the area’s young people, while being more welcoming and inclusive. The centre can now invite more services to co-locate, as well as host more student placements.
“We worked extensively with our Youth Reference Group – and took on feedback from our centre-friendliness surveys to ensure we created a space that felt safe, welcoming, inclusive and not too clinical – with plenty of breakout zones.
“The biggest thing is having space to support more young people. I hope it will make young people feel like there is a place to go for them, where they feel welcome, won’t feel judged, and will be able to feel better about their future if they’re going through a tough time,” he said.
WA Primary Health Alliance General Manager Commissioned Services, Mark Cockayne, said headspace plays an important role in equipping young people with the skills they need to manage their mental and physical health, supporting them not only now, but into their future.
“Expanding headspace Albany through larger premises and addition of extra support services means more young people can get the help they need, a great result for the Albany community and wider Great Southern region.”
headspace CEO, Jason Trethowan, said the new-look headspace centre will provide more opportunities for young people to seek support.
“With two in five young people experiencing mental illness, access to mental health support has never been more important.
“headspace Albany has proven to be a vital service for the community, a place young people know they can go for youth-friendly mental health care, including work and study support,” he said.
headspace Albany provides the full range of headspace services including mental health, physical and sexual health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.
Young people aged 12 to 25, and their families and friends, can contact headspace Albany directly or be referred by their GP or mental health professional.
This activity has been made possible through funding provided by the Australian Government under the PHN Program.
