Federal Government investment in headspace Work and Study services will help more young Australians with a mental illness stay engaged with the workforce - an important protective factor for good mental health.
Today's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) commits to funding the headspace Work and Study Online and headspace Career Mentoring programs for the next two years.
Work and Study Online is a world-first digital service created by headspace, which integrates work and study support with mental health services. The service is available to young people anywhere in Australia.
The MYEFO outcomes also make it possible for 16 headspace centres offering in-person Work and Study support to employ an additional Vocational Specialist, and for a pilot Work and Study peer support program to be extended across six locations.
New research published this month found young people who received headspace Work and Study support in addition to mental health care experienced even better mental health outcomes than young people only accessing conventional mental health support.
The Federal Government has also pledged:
- $4.5 million over three years, and $1.7 million per year ongoing, for a new headspace centre in the City Moonee Valley, in metropolitan Melbourne, and
- $1.5 million over three years from 2025-26, and $0.5 million per year ongoing, to fund a headspace satellite service in Corio, in regional Victoria.
headspace Acting CEO Julia Smith welcomed the commitments.
"We thank the Government for recognising the continuing need to support young people with mental ill-health to stay engaged with work and study.
"At headspace, we know that participating in work or study can have a hugely positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, helping young people feel a sense of purpose and learn new skills, build confidence and self-esteem, and provide those crucial social and support networks.
"We will continue working with government to find ways to extend our in-person Work and Study services to every headspace centre across Australia.
"Today's MYEFO announcement will also grow our network of headspace centres, which welcome through their doors almost 100,000 young people each year. We look forward to supporting more young people in the Moonee Valley and Corio areas when those centres are established.
"With two in five young Australians experiencing a mental health disorder over the past year, it is more important than ever we ready to meet young people in tough times, when and where they need help most."
