Headspace Murray Bridge gets $59,000 for centre upgrade
The grant has been provided under the Headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Grant Opportunity and will go towards the site's refurbishment.
Murray Bridge’s Headspace will soon receive a major cash injection, having been promised $59,134 by the federal government to refurbish the site.
Manager Suzanne Fuzzard said the youth mental health service was “very grateful”, as the funding would provide a new air conditioner and electronic gate, improvements that were much needed at its Murray Bridge centre.
“Since moving in, we changed the whole layout of the building by putting up new walls, so the air conditioner was no longer fit for purpose,” she said.
“Winter has not been too bad, but summer was impossible … half the building was unusable, and between COVID-19 and the heat, we were sending so many staff home.”
Ms Fuzzard said the renovations would hopefully be completed by this summer, probably during the October school holidays.
In the same round of grants, Headspace’s Victor Harbor centre was granted money for an in-house GP and dedicated room, something Ms Fuzzard hoped Murray Bridge would be able to get in the near future.
“Because of COVID-19, there is a huge demand for local doctors so young people are finding it a real challenge to book appointments,” she said.
“It would be important for us to hire someone that knows how to talk to young people and is passionate about that.”
Ms Fuzzard hoped an in-house GP could prioritise youth mental health reviews and sexual health, and that encouraging young people to have an ongoing relationship with that GP would support their general wellbeing.
Senator Marielle Smith said the funding would help Headspace support young Murray Bridge locals seeking mental health support.
“We all know it has been an incredibly tough time for young people, and I know this support will be valued in the local community,” Senator Smith said.
“I have visited this important service first-hand and seen the vital role it has in supporting young residents of Murray Bridge.”
The funding was part of a wider $44 million announcement for 57 Headspace services around the country.
It was intended to increase access and reduce waiting times for young people in need of support, and enhance the quality of their experiences at Headspace centres.
Clarification: Murray Bridge News has slightly amended Ms Fuzzard's comments about demand for GPs at her request.
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