Increasing Mental Health Support for Young People in Adelaide’s South
The City of Marion welcomed a new headspace centre at an official opening event at headspace Marion on Wednesday 31st March 2021.
The headspace centre will provide mental health, alcohol and drug and work and study services to support young people aged 12-25 in the inner south Adelaide region.
Funded by Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN) and operated by Sonder, the centre will work closely with young people at a crucial time in their lives to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.
headspace CEO, Jason Trethowan says he was excited to be part of the official opening event and that sites like headspace Marion are more important now than ever.
“The period of adolescence and early adulthood is a critical time in a young person’s life, with 75 per cent of mental health disorders emerging before the age of 25.
“We also know that the past twelve months have been an incredibly challenging time for many young people. That’s why headspace is here, to support young people and get them back on track.
“It’s wonderful to mark the official opening of headspace Marion, meaning more young people can get the help they need, when they need it, and closer to home.” Jason said.
Among the representatives at the launch on Wednesday were Sonder CEO Sageran Naidoo, Mental Health Commissioner David Kelly and City of Marion Mayor Kris Hannah.
Speaking at the official opening event, Sonder CEO Sageran Naidoo said, “We are proud to be part of the headspace network. As an organisation with over 27 years of experience, we understand the importance of headspace services being easy to access and delivered in a youth-friendly way.”
Also in attendance was Adelaide PHN CEO, Deb Lee who said the opening of headspace Marion was important to help cater for an increased demand for mental health services in a high need area.
“With one in four people aged 16 to 24 experiencing some form of mental illness every year, the new headspace centre provides much needed mental health support for young people in Marion.”
Local young people also attended the opening, including members of the headspace Youth Ambassadors program and the headspace Marion Youth Reference Group. This group of young people have and will continue to provide direct input to the centre to ensure that its services and events are inclusive, relevant and appropriate for their peers.
The afternoon events included a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country led by Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna Elder Major Moogy Sumner and proud Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna man, Isaac Hannam.
headspace Youth Reference Group member, Charlotte Rayner also shared an inspirational story about her own experience with mental illness and the support she found through headspace.
Following the official proceedings, attendees had the opportunity to tour the new centre and chat with headspace staff and members of the Youth Reference Group about the new centre and its services.
headspace Marion Centre Manager, Layla Assad-Salha said “We are thrilled headspace Marion has officially opened its doors, it means we are able to provide tailored support to young people across the Marion area. We know it’s a service that’s much needed and encourage any young person, family or friend to reach out to headspace Marion if they are going through a tough time.”
headspace Marion is located at 233 Sturt Rd, Marion, diagonally opposite from Westfield Marion Shopping Centre.
Services are available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time, visit headspace.org.au/marion or call (08) 8490 7700 to make a referral.
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan referrals can be made via the Adelaide PHN CRU using Secure Messaging via ReferralNet or Argus. Name: Central Referral Unit, ID: CRU.
headspace centres across the Adelaide metropolitan region are supported by funding from the Adelaide PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN program.