headspace Malvern (which opened in late March this year) celebrated its opening with a launch party with food, music and art activities on Wednesday 22 June 2022.

Over 70 people attended the party which kicked off with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony performed by Uncle Colin Hunter Jr, followed by speeches from special guests from headspace National, Access Health and Community, South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN), Federal Parliament Member for Higgins, headspace Youth Advisory Group and the City of Stonnington.

SEMPHN CEO, Quinn Pawson said it was great to celebrate the opening of headspace Malvern with a party acknowledging the collaboration between SEMPHN, headspace and Access Health and Community to bring this important resource to the community.

“The past two years have seen many young people having to adjust to remote learning, job losses and social disconnection from friends and family”, he said. “And while we may be returning to some normality, the uncertainties from the pandemic are still impacting the mental wellbeing of our society, particularly our younger generation.

“Now more than ever, we are committed to ensuring young people and their families can access the right support services they need in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable”, he said.

Funded by the Australian Government through SEMPHN, the new service is being delivered by a consortium led by Access Health and Community which includes St Vincent’s Mental Health Service, JobCo, Uniting Victoria and Tasmania, Star Health, City of Stonnington and City of Boroondara.

It is inspiring to know that young people will be involved in designing, monitoring and evaluating headspace Malvern’s activities and services.

headspace Malvern, located on Northbrook House on High Street, officially opens its doors today to young people aged 12-25 and their families offering early intervention mental health services in addition to physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) and work and study support in-person, phone or video. Appointments can be made directly by calling the centre or making an online referral on the website.

For more information on location and opening hours visit https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/Malvern

Pictured: Back row L to R: James Rouse (Acting Director, Community and Wellbeing, City of Stonnington), Sophie (headspace Malvern Youth Advisory Group), Jane Seeber (COO, Access, Health and Community), Jason Trethowan (CEO, headspace National), Quinn Pawson (CEO, South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network), Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Member for Higgins).

Front row L to R: Ria, Claire and Kate (headspace Malvern Youth Advisory Group).