Manjimup headspace announced after advocate refused to back down from mental health fight

Community members fighting for better mental health services in the Warren-Blackwood region have had their voices heard with a headspace set to be opened in Manjimup next year. For the past five years, residents have been lobbying for a mental health provider in town, but despite high suicide rates, those calls were left unanswered. But Blackwood Youth Action founder Sarah Youngson from Bridgetown Medical Group did not give up the fight, with the Federal Government announcing the new centre last week. Dr Youngson said after analysing the region’s needs about five years ago, an application was put forward to the Government for a headspace in Manjimup. “The Government felt that we weren’t eligible for funding was because we didn’t have a workforce (to service the region),” she said. “But, we’ve managed to provide evidence to the contrary — that we have general practitioners who are very interested in rural (health) and in youth health ready to step into the roles that are required. “We’ve got psychologists that are already working in the space, and would be able to contribute.” Ms Youngson told the Times the community rallied together to build a new case on why the town needed its own service, rather than being told to rely on Bunbury and Busselton-based hubs. “When you really point out the distances, the lack of public transport, the fact that many young people are really disadvantaged — they have no access to transport to go into one of these amazing services,” she said. “If we can intervene and help young people at the beginning of their journey, we can really make a big, big difference and set them up for a really happy and healthy adulthood. “It is really exciting after a lot of the grassroots lobbying and advocacy, not just from BYA, but from people like (O’Çonnor MHR) Rick Wilson, who’s been incredibly supportive along the whole journey. “It’s a great demonstration of the power of the community and the community voice.” Headspace services young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing, or at risk of, mild to moderate mental ill-health with 163 centres nationally — 89 of which are in regional Australia. Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride visited Manjimup last week to announce the new service, funded by the Federal Government and commissioned by the Country Western Australia Primary Health Network. O’Connor MHR Rick Wilson told the Times there were “big holes” across his electorate where headspace didn’t reach with the Warren-Blackwood region being one of them. “I am a parent of three teenagers and understand the challenges they face in this modern society, discovering who you are and where you fit in society,” he said. “Headspace do a terrific job of helping young people navigate those challenges. It is a very well recognised brand that they (young people) automatically trust and can put their faith in. “Sarah is the reason that all this happened. From my position as the Member of Parliament for the area, I have worked hard to get this project up, but she has been the driver from the grassroots community level.” Manjimup shire president Donelle Buegge said she had met Ms McBride in Canberra earlier this year to discuss mental health services. Ms Buegge said she stressed further resources were urgently needed outside of the cities of Bunbury and Busselton.