Macarthur MP Dr Mike Freelander praised the work of the team at the recently opened headspace centre at Oran Park during a recent visit.  

The Federal MP was joined by SWSPHN CEO Dr Keith McDonald PhD, and staff from headspace and Grand Pacific Health, during a tour of the new youth mental health support service last Wednesday.  

The centre, which opened in early February, was designed for those aged 12 to 25 and aims to provide an integrated approach to wellness by offering support for a young person’s mental, physical and sexual health, as well as counselling in areas such as work and study goals, or problems with alcohol or drugs.  

Dr Freelander said in his career as a paediatrician he had seen the stresses today’s society could place on young people and the problems which could arise as a result.  

“Services such as headspace help young people to build resilience which can prevent more serious problems in the future,” he said.  

“Federal Health Minister Mark Butler is acutely aware of the need to provide support services like headspace in our community and for services to work together so we can keep people well and make their lives better. I’m very grateful for the support you are all providing.”  

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures nearly two in five young Australians aged 16 to 24 have faced a mental health disorder in the past year.   

The Camden Local Government Area, including Oran Park, has a relatively young population, with almost 20 per cent of the total classified as youth. By 2045, the number of children aged 0 to 9 is expected to grow by nearly 20 per cent in Oran Park and 60 per cent in Camden, while the youth population is projected to rise by around 60 per cent in both Oran Park and Camden LGA.  

Young people today are struggling more than previous generations due to factors such as increased social media use, disturbed sleep patterns and fewer economic opportunities for teenagers and young adults to work or to secure affordable, independent housing.   

Over the past decade, the number of 18 to 24 year olds accessing mental health services has significantly increased, by 44.6 per cent for males, and by 69.5 per cent for females.  

These pressures make headspace centres a critical piece of the primary mental healthcare landscape for young people.   

You will find headspace at 3 Fordham Way, Oran Park. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30am to 5pm and Thursday from 11am to 7pm. 

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