South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) has funded Grand Pacific Health to deliver the service, designed to provide a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 12 to 25.
headspace aims to provide an integrated approach to wellness by offering support for a young person’s mental, physical and sexual health, as well as counselling in areas such as work and study goals, or problems with alcohol or drugs.
SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, praised the team at headspace Oran Park who had worked “tirelessly” to establish the new service and welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Grand Pacific Health in its delivery.
“Grand Pacific Health is a recognised health service provider which is currently the lead agency for 12 headspace centres, including two satellite centres across NSW, as well as a centre at Liverpool and Edmondson Park,” he said.
“An outreach service in Narellan has also opened to complement the Oran Park service and improve access to young people who live, work and study in the Camden Local Government Area.”
Dr McDonald said SWSPHN was proud to facilitate and fund services like headspace on behalf of the Australian Government, which enhanced access to mental health treatment in our region.
“The Oran Park centre will complement other youth services funded by SWSPHN, including headspace centres in Campbelltown, Liverpool, Edmondson Park and Bankstown, as well as ReFrame in the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Shires,” he said.
“This is a remarkable milestone which represents an ongoing commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people in our region, recognising their importance in our future.”
headspace National Chief Executive Officer Jason Trethowan said: “We’re proud to see headspace Oran Park officially open, creating a welcoming place for young people to get support with their mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug use, and vocational goals.
“Every young person deserves access to care that is inclusive, evidence-based and easy to navigate. headspace Oran Park will offer just that, meeting the needs of a growing and vibrant community.
“I want to thank our partners Grand Pacific Health, SWSPHN and the local young people who helped shape this service. Together, we’re creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard and supported.”
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures almost two in five young Australians aged 16 to 24 have faced a mental health disorder in the past year.
The Camden Local Government Area, including Oran Park, has a relatively young population, with almost 20 per cent of the total classified as youth.
By 2045, the number of children aged 0 to 9 is expected to grow by nearly 20 per cent in Oran Park and 60 per cent in Camden, while the youth population is projected to rise by around 60 per cent in both Oran Park and Camden LGA.
Over the past decade, the number of 18 to 24-year-olds accessing mental health services has significantly increased, by 44.6 per cent for males, and by 69.5 per cent for females.
Clients do not need a doctor’s referral to access the service. They can simply drop-in to visit the service or phone the centre on 4604 3030 to make an appointment.
headspace Oran Park is located at Level 5, Suite 5.04, 3 Fordham Way, Oran Park. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30am to 5pm and Thursday from 11am to 7pm.
The headspace outreach service at Narellan is located at the Narellan Library forecourt, corner of Queen and Elyard Streets. It is open Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 5pm.