headspace Griffith open day showcases full range of services in renovated office

Youth mental health service headspace Griffith let the community know it’s now offering a full range of support at a school holiday open day on Wednesday (9 October).

While physical services were restricted during COVID, community engagement officer Candace Prudham says her organisation now offers extensive mental health, sexual health, drug and alcohol, and work and study support to all those aged 12 to 25.

“We are fully open after our workspace was renovated last year. We have a team of seven clinicians and an office coordinator,” she said.

“Young people can come to us with general issues like anxiety, depression, bullying, school pressure, etc.”

How headspace can help you

Ms Prudham explained how the process of being helped by headspace works.

“People can come in to our office directly, they can call in by phone or they can fill in a referral online on our website,” she said.

”You can self-refer, or a parent, family member, friend or GP can refer someone to our free service.

“Alison Cardwell, our intake worker, will get the initial referral. She’ll make contact with the young person, bring them in and have an assessment. From there, they’ll be taken to a meeting with a GP and then allocated to a clinician.

“Prior to seeing the clinician, if there’s a bit of a wait, we’ll make wellness visits and check in with them to make sure everything is OK before they get here.”

Ms Prudham said there were also options for those who could not physically come to the office in Ulong street.

“If we are not open, they can contact e-headspace up until 1 am in the morning and speak to a clinician.

“We don’t specifically do outreach but we do telehealth, we have clients coming in from Lake Cargelligo, Hay, Leeton and surrounds.”

Open day success

At the open day on Wednesday, headspace set up room for activities such as photo booths, glitter making and playing computer games. Nachos and hotdogs were prepared for lunch.

“We had three different workshops – from Sharon De Valentin [encaustic artist], Rene from Anytime Fitness and [beautician] Jacinda Violi, who did a mindfulness circle to round out the day. They’re all big supporters of mental health,” Ms Prudham said.

“We are opening the word out to the whole community that we are here and it’s OK to come in and have a chat.”

Emily Pixley, a 13-year-old student who helped coordinate the recent TEDx event in Griffith, attended the open day.

“I really like the different activities they offered today, they’re things you can’t do at home,” she said.

“It’s a great place to come during the school holidays.”

Further information about headspace’s services can be found on its website.