Grand Pacific Health was awarded the role of lead agency for Headspace after an open tender process.

Headspace centres provide early intervention, mental health and general health services to young people aged 12 to 25.

Grand Pacific Health CEO Ron de Jongh said the news was “fantastic”.

“We’re absolutely stoked. We’ve been with the community advocating for this for a long, long time,” Mr de Jongh said.

“We were thrilled when the announcement was made [last year] that Headspace would be coming to Bega, and we’re particularly honoured to now be chosen to lead it.”

Mr de Jongh said GPH was within weeks of signing a contract for a premises in Bega, on the rooftop level of the Sapphire Marketplace, but was “very confident” the Headspace service would be available from July even if the physical space was not quite finalised.

He said the model to be offered to Bega and district would not be the typical centre-based Headspace, but a central hub from which outreach services would be provided along with partnerships with existing non-goverment organisations and health providers.

“What we try to provide are ‘core services’,” he said.

“We will have GPs on site to look after youths’ physical health, psychologists and counsellors for mental health, access to drug and alcohol support agencies, and employment and education services.

“It’s a multidisciplinary approach, almost a ‘wraparound’ model of service.”

Given the success and growing reach of the Teen Clinic initiative pioneered by Bega Valley Medical Practice, Mr de Jongh said Headspace was a complementary service to “that wonderful initiative”.

“We’ll be working with at least two GP practices that also provide Teen Clinics – it’s providing whatever is needed for the local youth,” he said.

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Dianne Kitcher, CEO of the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, said Grand Pacific Health has proven success in supporting young people with mental health issues.

“The organisation has established new Headspace centres in Wollongong in 2008, Nowra in 2012 and Goulburn in 2017, and continues to operate these services in their local communities,” Ms Kitcher said.

“Grand Pacific Health also demonstrated it has a good understanding of the Bega Valley due to its strong presence and links to other services in the area.”

The new service is due to begin mid-2018 in great news for young people in Bega and surrounding towns looking to access vital mental health services and support.

“The Far South Coast region has been identified as a location in high need of specialised youth mental health services,” Ms Kitcher said.

“Local GPs also identify the lack of local, accessible services for young people, particularly relating to mental health as a key need, so we are delighted that a new service will be available later this year.”

Under Grand Pacific Health’s proposal, Headspace Bega will become a centre for young people in the region, with plans for a flexible model addressing the needs of the wide geographic area.

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