2LT Local News

The establishment of headspace Lithgow is close to fruition, with a site locked in at 23 Main Street, according to Marathon Health and Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network.

Earlier this year, Wentworth Healthcare appointed Marathon Health to operate the satellite in response to concerns that there were limited youth centred services in the Lithgow area. The satellite will be part of the headspace Bathurst service, but feature locally based staff and a service location to support the needs of the Lithgow community.

“Young people in regional areas often struggle to find services that will meet their individual needs. It’s been great that the community, Nepean Blue Mountains PHN and Lithgow City Council are working quickly to fill an identified a gap in youth mental health with a service that is committed to young people and their wellbeing,” Stephen Jackson, Marathon Health CEO said Thursday.

“We have been working closely with the community to find the right site for the service location and are pleased to announce that we have signed a lease for 23 Main Street in Lithgow.”

“We will be getting input from Lithgow’s youth population in regards to the look and feel of the headspace satellite to ensure it is a place young people feel comfortable to visit, and we hope fit out will commence in the next month,” Jackson said.

Lizz Reay, CEO of Wentworth Healthcare says, “Primary Health Networks develop locally tailored responses to address the health needs of our region. We know that mental health is a high priority in Lithgow so I am thrilled that we have been able to provide this funding.”

Peter Rohr, Marathon Health’s Group Manager of headspace Services, says headspace Lithgow will employ staff to be based in Lithgow and will look to partner with existing service providers to ensure young people can receive the care they need, when they need it.

“Our focus will be on early intervention, education and awareness regarding mental health. We will be working with existing service providers to address youth mental health in a connected and collaborative way,” he said,

headspace provide 12 to 25 year olds’ with mental health support, physical and sexual health, assistance with alcohol and other drugs, employment and education support, as well as information and support for parents and carers. 

Marathon Health is one of the largest providers of headspace services in Australia with centres in Bathurst, Cowra, Dubbo, Orange, Canberra and Queanbeyan, and will now bring their expertise to Lithgow.

Wentworth Healthcare additionally on Thursday welcomed the announcement of Federal Government unding to support youth anxiety and depression.

As part of the package Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network (NBMPHN), will receive funding to help commission headspacxe in Lithgow.

 “We are delighted by the news that Lithgow will receive this much needed funding to help address the high rates of youth mental health in the area,” Lizz Reay, CEO of Wentworth Healthcare said Thursday.

“This funding outcome is the culmination of many months of advocacy for additional services in the area in collaboration with Lithgow City Council, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and the broader Lithgow community,” she said.

In recent times the Lithgow community has been deeply affected by a significant spike in suicides. In response to these tragedies, Lithgow City Council initiated the Mayor’s Mental Health Taskforce which brought together the expertise and experience of people in the mental health sector, including NBMPHN, to develop practical and effective initiatives to support the people of Lithgow and to ensure they receive the services they need.

headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said the local community and surrounding areas deserve access to youth friendly mental health services, like all young people across Australia.

“The headspace service in Lithgow will ensure any young person who may be going through a tough time is welcomed into an inclusive and youth-friendly environment,” Mr Trethowan said.

“We know that mental health and suicide are complex issues that are influenced by a number of interacting psychological, social and cultural factors. Early intervention programs such as headspace are critical as they not only impact young people’s lives in the present but can influence the whole community as these young people mature into adulthood,” Ms Reay said Thursday.

“Whilst this outreach service is important in providing additional support to the Lithgow community, we recognise that there is much more work to be done to address mental health and the high rate of suicide in the area,” she added.

NBMPHN has also commissioned Wesley LifeForce to deliver free suicide prevention education and training workshops in Lithgow during March and April 2019. These programs will specifically target members of the community who may have a gatekeeper role; for example teachers, sports coaches etc. and will equip them with the tools to recognise and help someone who may be at risk.