headspace Midland is to become one of the first 10 centres in Australia upgraded to the new headspace Plus model, as the federal government expands free mental health services for young people.
The Western Australian centre will move into a larger facility with more mental health professionals and greater capacity to support young people and their families. The upgrade is expected to be completed in the next financial year.
headspace Plus is designed to build on the existing headspace service by offering a wider range of holistic and specialist support for young people requiring a higher level of care. The federal government has allocated $225.3 million for new and upgraded headspace centres, including 30 conversions to the Plus model.
Midland has already provided about 9,000 free appointments to local young people. Its separate Midland Medicare Mental Health Centre has also recorded more than 25,000 free appointments since opening, accounting for more sessions than the other four such centres operating in Western Australia combined.
Tania Lawrence, the federal member for Hasluck, said the expansion would make it easier for young people to seek help in their local community.
“I think most of us know a young person who, at some point, has struggled and needed someone to talk to,” she said. “It’s about making sure a young person who is doing it tough can walk through the door and know someone is here to help.”
New headspace centre planned for Wanneroo
A new headspace centre will also be established in Wanneroo, providing free support for people aged 12 to 25 experiencing anxiety, depression, psychological distress and other mental health challenges.
The service will serve one of Perth’s fastest-growing areas and is intended to reduce the need for families in the Pearce electorate to travel to headspace Joondalup, which is among the busiest centres in Western Australia.
Tracey Roberts, the federal member for Pearce, said local access to care was particularly important for young people and their families.
“For years, families in Pearce have had to travel to headspace Joondalup, one of the busiest centres in WA, just to access this kind of support,” she said. “This new centre means young people and families in Pearce will finally have somewhere local to turn to.”
Assistant Mental Health Minister Emma McBride said around two in five young Australians experience mental health challenges each year.
“The upgrade of headspace Midland and the establishment of a new headspace centre in Wanneroo will help more young people access free mental health care in their local community,” she said.
The government has said headspace Plus centres will be rolled out in stages, with some services expected to begin operating from 2027-28. The locations of the Midland upgrade and the Wanneroo centre have been selected according to local health needs, existing services and the expected spread of the national headspace network.
