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Today (20 February 2025) we are excited to be hosting the official community opening event at headspace Caloundra, celebrating improved access to mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 12 to 25. Since opening in December, the centre at 3a/67 Bowman Road has already connected with young people more than 150 times through services and support. This opening event recognises the collaborative effort behind its establishment and the vital services it now offers.
headspace Caloundra is operated by Lives Lived Well, with funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and administered by the local Primary Health Network, Country to Coast, QLD.
To mark the occasion, the team at headspace Caloundra will be joined by staff from headspace National, Youth Advisory Committee members, consortium and funding partners, and community stakeholders from 3pm to celebrate this milestone and recognise the centre’s role in supporting local young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The community event includes tours of the centre, as well as cake, pizza, and even a jelly decorating station.
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the event is an important opportunity to acknowledge the collective effort that made the new service possible.
“We are proud to provide a dedicated space where young people can access free and confidential support, helping them navigate life’s challenges and take positive steps towards their wellbeing,” Mr Giles said.
“Since we opened our doors in December, referrals have been growing steadily, demonstrating there is the need for ongoing youth-specific mental health services in the area.”
The event also aims to promote headspace Caloundra’s services to young people, families, and friends in the community, ensuring more people know where to turn for support when they need it.
headspace CEO Jason Trethowan emphasised the role headspace plays in supporting young people across Australia and the impact that centres like headspace Caloundra can have in local communities.
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the official launch of headspace Caloundra, which will provide vital mental health support to young people in the local community. We know that life can be challenging for young people, and having a welcoming, youth-friendly space like headspace Caloundra means they have somewhere to turn when they need help,” Mr Trethowan said.
“At headspace, we know that getting support early can make a real difference in a young person’s life. This centre will play a crucial role in ensuring that young people in Caloundra can access free and confidential mental health support when they need it, without barriers. We encourage any young person who may be going through a tough time to reach out—headspace is here for you.”
headspace Caloundra joins headspace Maroochydore and headspace Gympie as the third headspace service on the Sunshine Coast commissioned by Country to Coast, QLD.
Country to Coast, QLD Chief Executive, Julie Sturgess said the new centre will play an important role in supporting young people to seek help early, closer to home.
“When young people have access to the right support early on, it can make a real difference to their mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Sturgess said.
“headspace Caloundra provides a safe and welcoming environment where young people can walk in, ask for help, and connect with the services they need—without the barrier of needing a referral.”
Federal Member for Fisher, Mr Andrew Wallace MP said, “Today marks a significant milestone for the mental health care of young people living in the South of the Sunshine Coast.”
“The opening of headspace Caloundra is a testament to our community’s commitment to providing the necessary mental health support for our young people,” Mr Wallace said.
“The opening of headspace Caloundra is a significant step forward in addressing the mental health needs of young Australians. I encourage all young people in the region to take advantage of these new services and to prioritise their mental wellbeing.”
Young people aged 12-25 can access headspace Caloundra Monday to Friday by calling 07 5222 4009, attending the centre in person, or referring via the website: headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/Caloundra/.
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Media contacts
Lives Lived Well: Lisa Larkin, [email protected]
headspace National media: [email protected]
Country to Coast, QLD: Ange Baldwin, [email protected]
About Lives Lived Well
Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers evidence-based services across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. The organisation specialises in supporting people with concerns related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD), mental health, transitioning from corrective services, veterans’ wellbeing and gambling. As well as being the lead agency for headspace Caloundra, Lives Lived Well is the lead agency for headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera. Learn more at www.liveslivedwell.org.au.
About headspace
headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through our headspace centres in communities across Australia, our online and phone counselling services, our vocational services, and our presence in schools. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.
About Country to Coast, QLD
Country to Coast, QLD is an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to building healthy, connected and resilient communities across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions. We deliver the Australian Government’s PHN Program and partner with health providers and the community to design and commission quality primary care services.
