Happy Birthday headspace

Ten years on from the launch of a pilot program to offer mental health assistance to young people, headspace Sunshine is celebrating.

An official celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 22, attended by dignitaries including former Australian of the Year and headspace board member Patrick McGorry, Brimbank council members and young people who have used the service.

A second celebration, a community day, will take place on Saturday, November 26, from noon-6pm on Hampshire Road to say thanks to the Sunshine community for embracing headspace.

The day will include performances, food and a South Sudanese-Australian star of the new SBS TV series, Sunshine.

Liz Burgat, headspace director of clinical programs, said it was important to recognise the impact headspace has had.

“We’ve supported over 8500 young people over the 10 years and each year we help more,” Ms Burgat said.

“The community is constantly changing, and I think it’s a significant milestone to acknowledge.

“This started as one of 10 pilot programs and there are now over 100 headspace centres across Australia.

“Mental health doesn’t discriminate, and young people in Sunshine know that headspace is a place they can go for
help.”