Young people aged 12 to 25 in Ballina are set to benefit from increased access to mental health support with the opening of a new headspace service.

Northern Rivers-based not-for-profit organisation Social Futures was selected to operate the new headspace service, which provides a safe, welcoming space where young people can access free or low-cost, youth-friendly supports, including mental health, alcohol and other drug services and vocational and educational services.

Located centrally in Ballina, the service is designed to help address the growing need for mental health support in the region.

Staff at the new service include health workers and mental health professionals who can help with issues such as stress, anxiety, managing relationships with family and friends, alcohol and other drugs, questions about romantic relationships, sex and gender, bullying, anger, finding a job or getting into study, and more.

The headspace Ballina service is part of a national network of 167 centres working to provide early intervention mental health services to young Australians. This new service was made possible through funding from Healthy North Coast through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network program.

The service is now open to the community. Young people and families are encouraged to visit and learn more about the range of services available. For more information, visit headspace.org.au.

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride MP said, “The Albanese Labor Government is investing in the headspace network so young people can access free mental health care close to home.

“There are now 91 headspaces in regional Australia showing our commitment to supporting young people outside the major centres.

“Natural disasters can have long lasting effects on people’s mental health. The opening of headspace Ballina makes sure young people affected by the floods, or experiencing any mental health concerns, have access to the support they need.”

Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot MP said, “Establishing a permanent headspace in Ballina will reduce the burden of mental ill-health in our community and help our young people to thrive.

“This is the second headspace for Richmond after headspace Tweed Heads. Both headspaces are examples of the Australian Government supporting the health and wellbeing of regional Australians.

“I would like to recognise headspace Lismore for the crucial outreach services they have provided over the past few years to support young people in Ballina following the floods.”

Healthy North Coast CEO, Monika Wheeler said, “The North Coast region has a higher level of mental health, suicidality and substance use challenges in comparison with the rest of NSW. Locally, we have a third more mental health-related emergency department presentations than the rest of NSW. The new Ballina headspace will improve access to mental health and wellbeing services for young people across the Ballina Shire so that help is available before young people reach crisis point.

“The new headspace Ballina service will provide a vital resource for young people, to build early and positive help-seeking behaviours that will support wellbeing management for later years. Healthy North Coast is proud to support this service in partnership with Social Futures and the Australian Government.”

Acting CEO headspace, Julia Smith said, “We’re extremely pleased to see mental health services for young people on the North Coast strengthened with headspace Ballina now offering services to the local community, supported by strong headspace partners in Social Futures.

From our perspective the most important thing in opening a service like this is that the community of Ballina know the service is now here for you – so if you, or a young person you care about needs support with their mental health, please know that’s what headspace is here for.”