Anthony Byrne (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the same note, I rise today to discuss the need for a headspace centre in Cranbourne. Last week, we recognised headspace day. This is a national day of support for mental health and the wellbeing of our young Australians. I'd like to acknowledge the work of headspace centres that have assisted over 446,000 young people—88,500 young people have accessed a headspace centre since their inception. Headspace plays a vital role by supporting our young people, assisting them with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-harm and other issues.

One in four young people experience a mental health issue. However, mental health experts, led by Professor Patrick McGorry, state that early intervention and treatment are critical in improving mental health outcomes and quality of life for those with mental illnesses, and that they can reduce the incidence of youth suicide. But convenient access to headspace centres, particularly in high-density population areas, is critical. That's where we have a problem in Holt. It's part of the City of Casey, which is one of the fastest-growing areas of Australia. The suburb of Cranbourne East in my area is the fastest-growing in Australia. We have two headspace centres—one in Narre Warren and one in Doveton. In fact, I lobbied the then government to get both of those centres. But we need another one in Holt, because we have so many young people—10.2 per cent of the population in Holt are aged between 15 and 24—and they need to be able to walk through a door without stigma or judgement. They need that service, and they need that headspace centre in Cranbourne.