South Melbourne is part of the Local Government Area (LGA) of the City of Port Phillip, home to approximately 13,000 young people (12-25 years) with more than 1,500 young people living in low-income households.

According to headspace’s 2022 National Youth Mental Health Surveys, young people are struggling with their mental health due to stresses associated with the high cost of living, social media, climate change, and the pressures of working and studying.

The latest research found that housing and rent affordability were the most worrying concerns for young people, with 61% concerned about the affordability of rent. Social media often leads young people to compare their lives with others, adding to feelings of loneliness. The results found that almost 60% of young people feel isolated from others. Furthermore, only 39% of young people have high confidence in their ability to achieve their goals in the future.

headspace is tailored to provide young people in the area with better access to personalised and youth-friendly support services. headspace South Melbourne will support young people to access early intervention mental health services as well as supports around their physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) and work and study.

Young people will be involved in designing, monitoring and evaluating the headspace South Melbourne activities and services.

headspace South Melbourne is funded by the Australian Government under the Primary Health Network program.

More information regarding the location, opening timing, and consortia partners will become available in the upcoming months.