Young people in Port Stephens now have their first ever free mental health and counselling service right on their doorstep with the launch of Jupiter - A Space to Talk.
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The new community-based service, launched this week by Caring For Our Port Stephens Youth (COPSY), offers free treatment to young people aged 12 to 18 years and is the culmination of five years of dedicated volunteers raising awareness and funds to develop the service.
There's a great need for young people in our region to have access to free mental health services tailored to their special needs.
Given we've never had this before, we're so excited and proud to launch Jupiter.
The new service offers young people a safe space to comfortably seek help for mental health issues in a location that's central and easy to access.
No issue is too big or too small.
Our highly qualified counsellors and psychologists will work alongside young people to build skills in manage issues as broad as grief, loss, anger, drugs, alcohol, self esteem and body image concerns, study and exam stress, anxiety, depression and self harm thoughts.
A $53,000 grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has enabled the fit-out of the space at Tomaree Library and Community Centre in Salamander Bay.
Port Stephens Council gave us access to a space at Tomaree Library and Community Centre and with the grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation this has enabled the development of a professional, yet comfortable setting which appeals to young people.
We have employed a local counsellor and three registered psychologists for Jupiter, who will be there after school hours, 3pm-7pm, to serve clients at a convenient time.
Port Stephens, Newcastle and Maitland all experience higher rates of mental health issues than the national average, with depression, anxiety and stress the most common issues among Port Stephens young people.
Despite this, Port Stephens has much lower availability to psychologists and specialist practitioners compared to both the national average and surrounding communities.
Jupiter - A Space to Talk was developed using community research undertaken by the University of Newcastle with the financial support of HNECC PHN and Port Stephens Council.
- John de Ridder, COPSY president