The Carrum and Patterson Lakes Forum is campaigning for a Headspace centre to service residents of Mordialloc and Chelsea.

“Mental health affects a wide range of people from all walks of life,” said forum founder Cameron Howe.  “Often overlooked, mental health is quickly becoming a leading community concern and is an essential component of our overall health.

“In fact, concerns about mental health have doubled since 2011, according to Mission Australia, and a 2013-14 national survey conducted by UWA in partnership with Roy Morgan Research uncovered that one in seven four to 17-year-olds were assessed as having mental disorders in the previous 12 months.

“Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation with facilities currently located in Bentleigh and Frankston, but at present there is nothing to directly service the Mordialloc-Chelsea population within the City of Kingston.  Unlike private services, Headspace is financially accessible to our youth and empowers people to become a stronger version of themselves, with resources on hand to deal with anything stretching from study support to issues stemming from alcohol or drugs.

“As one of many adults who battles with depression and anxiety, Headspace is a service that would have been of great value to me during my teenage years. Early intervention not only saves lives but also enhances our ability to forge healthy relationships and strengthens our ability to handle the ups and downs of life.”

To raise the profile of demand for a new Headspace centre, the Carrum and Patterson Lakes Forum has launched a petition that will form a part of the campaign in conjunction with its local media efforts.

The petition can be viewed at change.org/p/establish-a-headspace-centre-in-the-city-of-kingston