Established in 2012, headspace Bendigo reaches an area of more than 13,000 square kilometres and has already worked with 760 young people over the last 12 months.

But the demand for support services has grown significantly over the last few years.

That’s why the government has invested $5.18 million in Demand Management and Enhancement Funding across the 6 headspace services in the Murray Primary Health Network.

This has allowed headspace Bendigo to increase staffing levels, expand their footprint and support more than 300 additional young people in Central Victoria.

Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters invited Assistant Minster McBride to meet with local young people to see first-hand the impact of the boost in funding, including reduced waiting times and improved access to services.

headspace Bendigo is part of a network of 160 services nationally, 40 in Victoria and many in regional areas where young people have found it difficult to access support close to home.

In response to growing need and increased demand the Albanese Government is increasing the number of headspace services to 173 by 2025–26.

For young people who prefer online or phone support, eheadspace provides free, telephone and web-based services to young people aged 12 to 25 years with, or at risk of, developing mental illness. 

Further information on eheadspace is available online at: www.headspace.org.au or by phoning: 1800 650 890.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:

“headspace Bendigo works with hundreds of local young people every year, with a third of users in the vulnerable 15 to 17 year old age group.

“Young people in Bendigo are presenting most often with problems with family and friends, anxiety and feeding sad or depressed.

“I’m pleased that the additional funding has allowed Bendigo headspace to reduce wait times and provide care to more young people.”

Quotes attributed to Lisa Chesters, Federal Member for Bendigo:

“Our local headspace Bendigo team do an amazing job to support young people in our community, but they were struggling to meet the demand for their services.

"That’s why I am so pleased and relieved to see the increased additional funding they received from the Federal Labor Government is making a difference. 

“This additional funding will better equip this vital service to our community to better support vulnerable young Central Victorians.”