Headspace marks decade of helping region’s youth

Headspace Albany will celebrate a milestone on Sunday.

The organisation will mark its 10th birthday with a party, which is open to the public.

Manager Andrew Wenzel said the party outside the centre would have live music from local young musicians, a youth art market, centre tours, woodfired pizza and a spectacular birthday cake.

“As the first headspace centre established in WA, this is a huge milestone for us, and for the young people that have accessed support from us during that time,” he said.

“We are very excited to be celebrating this milestone this weekend with a party and it’s a great chance for people to come and chat to us and see what we are all about.”

Headspace Albany opened its doors to young people on February 29, 2008, and has occupied four premises in that time.

In 2017, the centre provided support to 10 per cent of the young people aged 12 to 25 in Albany.

Mr Wenzel said he was proud of the achievement.

“In the time since opening, we have helped over 3000 young people with individual support, including counselling, family meetings, assessment, medical support, drug and alcohol support and vocational support services, and thousands more with education, and increased mental health awareness by delivering workshops and training in schools and other youth agencies,” he said.

“Throughout this time, we have maintained an active youth reference group to ensure our services are youth friendly, relevant and accessible, and stay that way, so I am very proud of how far we have come.”

The party will be held in the laneway outside the centre from 3pm to 5pm.