Young people aged 12-25 years living in the City of Stonnington and surrounds now have access to a new youth mental health service, with the opening of headspace Malvern centre at Northbrook House on 28 March 2022.
City of Stonnington is home to multiple schools and university campuses and approximately 20,000 young people (aged 12-25 years), which includes 3,000 currently living in low-income households.
City of Stonnington Mayor Cr Jami Klisaris welcomed the new headspace Malvern centre at Northbrook House.
"One in four people aged 16 to 24 years experiences some form of mental illness every year and three-quarters of all mental illness manifests in people under the age of 25," said Cr Klisaris.
"This is an opportunity to provide a service in Stonnington that will impact positively on young people's mental health, and we are proud to work with Access Health and Community and headspace to bring our community this important resource.
"In the last two years, young people have dealt with lockdowns, disruptions to education, loss of employment and uncertainty about the future. This centre will provide much-needed access to services to address mental health and support related issues," said Cr Klisaris.
Access Health and Community's Chief Executive Officer Anna Robinson said, "Access Health and Community is excited to work alongside our consortium partners to develop headspace Malvern as a vibrant, much-needed mental health service for young people and their families."
According to headspace's 2020 National Youth Mental Health Survey psychological distress among young people remains high, with one-third (34 per cent) reporting high or very high levels of distress.
"We are excited to be providing this safe and supportive place that prioritises mental health for young people in Stonnington," said Anna Robinson.
headspace Malvern at Northbrook House offers early intervention mental health services in addition to physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) and work and study support to young people and their families.
The centre provides support in-person, or via phone or video to young people aged 12 – 25 years old. Appointments can be made directly by calling the centre or making an online referral on the website.
headspace Malvern at Northbrook is located behind the Malvern Library at 1257 High Street, Malvern.
headspace Malvern is funded by the Australian Government through the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). The new service is being delivered by Access Health and Community, in partnership with the City of Stonnington, City of Boroondara, JobCo, St Vincent's Mental Health Service, Star Health and Uniting.
