The Australian and New South Wales (NSW) Governments have announced a joint investment of A$35.8m ($24.4m) to open four Head to Health Kids Hubs in NSW.
These hubs are intended to offer comprehensive mental health and wellbeing care for children younger than 12 years and their families.
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Each hub will provide fully government-funded services such as specialist medical and allied health care.
The initiative aims to provide accessible and holistic support to young Australians struggling with mental health issues and will be rolled out progressively until 2027.
Australian Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride said: “The Kids Hubs will provide a welcoming environment to help children and their families discuss the concerns they have and give them the tools they need to deal with any issues.”
“It’s about providing an accessible place and the right mental health and wellbeing services that will support them now and lay the groundwork for the future.”
The four Kids Hubs will be in Wollongong, Central Coast, Orange and Penrith.
The Wollongong hub will have outreach to Shoalhaven, while the hub in Orange will serve patients in the Bathurst area.
NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said: “We want to make sure that vulnerable families are receiving the support they need and the Head to Health Kids Hubs are one way we are aiming to support children and their families to lead happier and healthier lives.
“The Kids Hubs will make it easier to access holistic, wrap-around mental health and wellbeing care for our youngest community members.
“They are free services that are embedded in communities, available when and where people need them.
“There is a lot of work to do to ensure we are providing the mental health support people need but this is a strong step in the right direction.”
