Young people and their families across NSW are set to benefit from wrap around mental health care and wellbeing services with the announcement of 4 Head to Health Kids Hubs in NSW.
The Kids Hubs are a $35.8 million joint investment by the Australian and NSW Governments and will provide comprehensive, multi-disciplinary mental health and wellbeing care for children under 12, and their families.
Services are fully government-funded and offer a range of specialist medical and allied health services provided by teams, which may include psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatricians, nurses, social workers, peer workers and Aboriginal health workers.
The services will be rolled out progressively until 2027 when all 4 Kids Hubs will be operational.
The Kids Hubs will be located in:
- Wollongong with outreach to Shoalhaven
- Central Coast
- Orange with outreach to Bathurst
- Penrith.
The governments agreed to co-fund the establishment and operation of the Head to Health Kids Hubs under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride said:
“The Australian Government is partnering with NSW to fund Head to Health Kids Hubs in NSW so children and their families can get the help they need when and where they need it.
“The Kids Hubs will provide a welcoming environment to help children and their families discuss the concerns they have and give them the tools they need to deal with any issues.”
“It’s about providing an accessible place and the right mental health and wellbeing services that will support them now and lay the groundwork for the future.”
Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson said:
“The increase in children experiencing mental health challenges is a serious call to action for government. We know we must do more to support young Australians who are struggling with poor mental health.”
“We want to make sure that vulnerable families are receiving the support they need and the Head to Health Kids Hubs are 1 way we are aiming to support children and their families to lead happier and healthier lives.”
“The Kids Hubs will make it easier to access holistic, wrap-around mental health and wellbeing care for our youngest community members. They are free services which are embedded in communities, available when and where people need them.”
“There is a lot of work to do to ensure we are providing the mental health support people need but this is a strong step in the right direction.”