By Mikayla van Loon
As far as mental health support services go in the Yarra Ranges, headspace Lilydale is one of the most well-known even if it did just celebrate its first birthday.
Although opening last July, headspace was able to officially launch and celebrate one year of operation on Thursday 25 August, bringing together each of the service’s support networks.
Lilydale’s headspace team leader Sharon Patton said the process of establishing a service of this kind in the Yarra Ranges began 12 years ago after a need was identified by the community.
“From that developed the Yarra Ranges youth roundtable and that was successful in securing a headspace nine years ago which identified Lilydale as the perfect location,” she said.
“Unfortunately there was no available infrastructure at the time and it fell to Knox.”
A consortium of partners, including EACH, Inspiro, OELLEN and governments then worked towards a satellite headspace facility in the Yarra Ranges.
“Since we opened the doors in July last year, we have supported 514 young people with mental health concerns, which is just shy of the national average,” Ms Patton said.
Working closely with volunteers like Finn Stirling, who are part of the Youth Action Force, headspace is directed on what might be best for young people from a young perspective.
“We meet monthly and we consult on things that are happening in the centre. So sometimes it might be about the physical space to see if things need to be more inclusive but then we also do the community engagement stuff at festivals and represent headspace,” they said.
For Finn, who has studied youth work and is passionate about working in the mental health space, what they enjoy most about volunteering at headspace is seeing their thoughts and feelings enacted upon to ensure the young people are getting what they need.
Finn said it is both heartbreaking to know the number of young people who have already used the headspace service but so comforting to know they are supported.
“As a young person who’s been living in the Yarra Ranges forever, there’s not a lot of places to funnel all of these young people that need support.
“As sad as it is, we knew what the numbers were already, so it’s really great to know the numbers of young people who are getting actual support.”
From one young person to another, Finn said “it’s okay to be exactly where you are right now and to be kind to yourself.”
headspace people and culture executive director Debbie Mann said without the guidance of young people, the launch and success of the Lilydale branch would not have been possible.
“headspace is a place for young people and we’re guided by young people and their lived experiences,” she said.
“Today would not have been possible without their contribution and I know just how vital headspace Lilydale has already proven to be for young people in this community.”
Funded by the Australian Government through the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health
Network (EMPHN) and operated by EACH, both CEOs see the growth of headspace throughout the Yarra Ranges as being an essential next step for mental health.
EACH CEO Natalie Sullivan said the Covid-19 pandemic proved how people can work from home and inner city suburbs are not necessarily the place people want to live.
“As families are moving out, so are the children and so are the youth and so I think it’s great that this is a spoke from the heart of Knox but wouldn’t it be awesome if this was a hub for this area,” she said.
“I think the demand is going to spread so not only is the demand going to increase in number but in geographical spread too. I think we’re really going to start seeing that a lot more as people are making a different lifestyle choice. So we’ll certainly continue to advocate for more services.”
EMPHN CEO Janine Wilson said as the commissioning funding body for the Commonwealth, every few years EMPHN conducts a health needs assessment to understand the need for services.
“In this part of Melbourne, it’s well known that there is greater demand than there are services for young people in mental health. Even with this service running, there’s still a gap,” she said.
“With increases in cases of mental health disorders in Victoria, addressing the needs and providing access to local support services to at-risk and vulnerable young people in the local community is vital.”
headspace Lilydale operations manager Lara Clark said young people had travelled from all over the Yarra Ranges shire, as well as even further down the line, including places like Baw Baw.
“It is interesting the places that you get people coming from where people are obviously desperate just to find services.
“We’re probably seeing the impacts of Covid more now as people get out of lockdown, as they’re trying to re-engage with school, community and finding challenges along the way.”
headspace Lilydale provides support for young people aged 12 to 25 years, giving them access to youth-oriented mental health professionals, general practitioners, drug and alcohol counsellors and to vocational and social service providers.
Services are delivered in-person, via phone and online. For more information, visit: headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/lilydale/ or call (03) 9735 7900 to make a booking.
