headspace Southport Making a Difference to thousands of young people on the Gold Coast

headspace Southport believes it is making a strong difference to the lives of hundreds of young people on the Gold Coast each year, as a vibrant and active service.

Following the results of a recent University of NSW study, which has found headspace facilities on average are delivering only a “small” benefit to the mental health care of young people, headspace Southport manager Philip Williams says that is not what we are experiencing at headspace Southport.

Providing services for over 8 years on the Gold Coast, headspace Southport has over 23 private practitioners, 2 GPs and benefit from co-located drug and alcohol and employment services. headspace Southport is one of only six specialist centres around Australia providing early psychosis specialty services.”

“I believe that the headspace Southport centre is performing very well and is making a significant difference to the lives of many young people and their families,” Mr Williams said. “Our data supports that view.”

Over 2016, at headspace Southport:

  • Over 1600 young people accessed care
  • Of all young people accessing the centre over 2016:
    • 17% of young people identify with the LBGTIQAP+ community
    • 7% identify as New Zealand citizens (the largest ethnic minority group on the Gold Coast is the New Zealand Maori population)
  • Over 80% young referred to the employment specialist position were successful in gaining employment or education.

“We also strongly believe that working in partnerships is key to providing high quality services for young people and so we work with the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, the Multicultural Network, sports clubs, schools, non-government based community mental health services and other non-government services.

“We have developed a range of services to support young people to actively engage and influence how the centre runs.  Two of these programs are your Youth Advisory Council and our peer workforce that has over 30 young people actively engaged in shaping and delivering our services.”

For more information about headspace Southport call 1300 727 957.

ENDS

For all media enquiries contact:

Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e [email protected] or [email protected]

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