Describing 2020 as “a year like no other”, Mr Frydenberg said the increased funding for mental health support in the 2020-21 Budget would help young Australians through the challenges of the Covid-19 recession.
“Headspace is doing a tonne of good work helping people through the challenges that they face,” he said.
Ashfield’s headspace centre acts as a one-stop-shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs or work and study support.
Dr Martin said that with increased funding, there was much to celebrate and it was important that young people “build their resilience and take care of their mental health with the resources and services available” to overcome this year’s “uncertainty and challenges”.
“Headspace offers comprehensive clinical services as well as community engagement that helps break the stigma around mental health,” she said.
However the Shadow NSW Minister for Mental Health, Tara Moriarty, called for additional State Government support for mental health services to ensure people could access support when they need it.
Highlighting that “one in five Australians is affected by mental illness annually”, she said that statistic was likely to worsen given all the stressors of 2020.
Push for more funding to aid worsening mental health rise
STAFF and volunteers at the Headspace centre in Ashfield met with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Federal MP for Reid Dr Fiona Martin last week ahead of National headspace Day (October 14).