A Headspace centre for Goulburn is a step closer, with providers invited to lodge submissions to be the centre’s lead agency.

Stakeholders – including Angus Taylor’s office, Anglicare and other potential lead agencies – attended an Expressions of Interest (EOI) briefing session in Goulburn last Thursday.

“Goulburn is one of five Round 8 locations which will be up and running by December 2016,” Mr Taylor said.

“This request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) is the first stage of a two-stage process for selecting Headspace centre Lead Agencies. Submissions for this first stage EOI close Friday November 6.”

Mr Taylor said the Goulburn centre would be one of 15 new Headspace facilities established across Australia, providing mental health services for young people aged 12 to 25.

“We’re making steady progress on establishing this important service in Goulburn and district.

“According to Headspace, only one in four young people with mental health problems receives professional help. Even among young people with the most severe mental health problems, only 50 per cent receive professional help and fewer still receive optimal evidence-based care.

“We marked Mental Health Week last week with the theme ‘Mental Health begins with me’,” Mr Taylor said.

“The Coalition government is on the cusp of finalising a significant reform package that will better support Australians to receive the most appropriate mental health care, when and where they need it.”

Caption: Angus Taylor with Goulburn community members at the announcement of a Goulburn Headspace centre last year. Potential providers have this week been invited to lodge submissions to be the centre’s lead agency.