The NSW Government has bolstered funding for youth mental health services on the Northern Beaches with the launch of a new Youth Mental Health Hub in Brookvale.
The Youth Mental Health Hub will be centrally located at the Brookvale Community Health Centre, providing a one-stop shop where local young people can receive comprehensive, integrated mental health care and be connected to other services.
This new Hub will complement the recently established Brookvale Safe Haven which offers young people a free, friendly and compassionate drop-in service within the same building. Both services have been funded with $4.48 million in redirected funding after the former government's commitments were found to be not feasible and ultimately undeliverable.
Committed to delivering a timely and effective solution, the NSW Government engaged local health and community representatives in a roundtable last year to help shape care models and service delivery for the region.
The concept for the Youth Mental Health Hub emerged from this 2024 roundtable, where local health and community representatives highlighted the urgent need for improved support for young people and a central access point for services.
Consultation on the designs for the Youth Mental Health Hub is now available. Local community members are encouraged to have their say on the Youth Mental Health Hub feedback form.
The Minns Labor Government has provided additional funding to further strengthen mental health services on the Northern Beaches. New investments include:
- $1.4 million in recurrent funding to establish a Child and Youth Mental Health Service Consultation Liaison service to enhance youth mental health and drug and alcohol services at Northern Beaches Hospital and across the Northern Sydney Local Health District.
- $472,000 recurrent funding to enhance the existing PACER (Police, Ambulance, Clinical, Early Response) service to provide trauma-informed care to people in crisis.
Brookvale Safe Haven opened late last year, offering a safe and welcoming space where teenagers can openly discuss their challenges and access one-on-one support, including safety planning for mental health distress. Since its launch, the service has already supported around 50 young people.
The Brookvale Safe Haven is open 7 days a week from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, including on public holidays. It is located at Brookvale Community Health Centre, 612-624 Pittwater Road, opposite Westfield Warringah Mall and close to the bus interchange.
There are 21 Safe Havens across NSW based on or near hospital grounds, with peer workers and mental health clinicians on hand to offer care and support.
For more information about Safe Haven services and its role in supporting mental health, please visit the Safe Haven webpage.
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
"We listened to the calls from local advocates, government and health representatives to deliver better services for young people in the Northern Beaches.
"After coming into government, it became clear that the former government's pledge to build four mental health beds was never realistically planned for delivery.
"This redirected funding is about making sure we're providing mental health care in the community that is effective, easy to access and suited to local needs.
"Having both a Safe Haven and a Youth Mental Health Hub located together at Brookvale will be an important way to support local young people with their mental health concerns, before they reach a point of crisis.
"While the Hub is being established, young people can continue to access mental health support at the new Brookvale Safe Haven under the same roof.
"The Haven is a fantastic place for young locals who are experiencing distress to seek support in the community, providing a non-clinical alternative to hospital emergency departments."
Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan said:
"It is fantastic to see this investment in young people and their mental health, building on the recently opened Brookvale Safe Haven.
"There is no referral or Medicare card needed - young people can drop into the Safe Haven and talk to skilled peer workers and staff from the Youth Response Team, who will listen, understand their needs and connect them to other health professionals as required.
"Once established, the new Youth Mental Health Hub will focus on supporting local young people with their mental wellbeing, and connecting them with other services if needed, including sexual health, drug and alcohol, housing, social supports, and primary care services.
"This initiative will give young people access to a comprehensive 'one-stop shop' for their health and broader social needs.
"Brookvale Community Health Centre is well-connected with transport links and convenient for young people seeking assistance, with other support services already located in the building."
