headspace

Looking to start a new job that makes a difference? It's more important than ever to support the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians, and by working at headspace you can make a direct impact. With the financial year coming to an end, it's the perfect time to think about what comes next! Visit our website to see our open positions: https://bit.ly/4i6FWYQ

Did you know that in Australia, 2 in 5 young people experience a mental health issue each year? Strengthening youth mental health supports is more important than ever. Want to play a part? You can support our work by setting up regular donations - no matter how big or small – through your payroll salary. Donations are made pre-tax, meaning you’ll reduce your taxable income. Some companies also choose to match your donations, doubling your impact on payday. Want to learn more? Check out how you can make an impact here: https://bit.ly/41oO1Rb

This week, ahead of the International Association for Youth Mental Health conference in Vancouver, we came together with our international Integrated Youth Services partners: Jigsaw - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Foundry, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) and Allcove- to align, connect, share, and learn from one another. These were a great couple of days filled with deep conversation, where we laughed, reflected, and left feeling stronger in our mission to improve youth mental health globally. A huge shoutout to Joshua Sherwood, headspace First Nations Cultural Governance Committee Youth Advisor and Sarthak Gandhi, headspace Board Youth Advisor for their incredible contributions. They both brought vital cultural perspectives to the table, and Sarthak spoke powerfully about the importance of recognising and celebrating the strength of young people - balancing the negative narrative of a global youth mental health ‘crisis’ with messages of hope.  headspace, along with the other international Integrated Youth Services, form an international partnership dedicated to building integrated, youth-focused services that address mental health for young people aged 12 to 25. We are proud to be part of this international alliance, and we are inspired for what’s ahead. 

headspace is proud to have been a partner of the Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum earlier this month, a vital community-driven event presented by the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association with the support of Aventedge. This forum gathered grassroots organisations, government representatives, ACCHOs, mainstream not-for-profits, PHNs, councils, and activists to drive solutions for Indigenous mental health and wellbeing.   Through our partnership, we were able to fund bursary opportunities that allowed remotely located Indigenous community members and non-funded organisations to attend and contribute to this national conversation.   headspace recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations as the experts in healthcare for First Nations people. For organisations such as headspace, offering good culturally responsive care to First Nations young people and their families starts with listening to First Nations expertise, including the amazing individuals, communities, and services that presented and shared at the forum. It is a privilege to be able to hear their voices and learn from their knowledge and commitment. Pictured: Trent Wingard, headspace National Manager of First Nations Strategy and Cultural Safety and Tegan Schefe, Consultant University of Western Australia

Over the past three years, it has been incredibly encouraging to see a 23% increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people accessing headspace, now making up 11% of all young people who access headspace centres. These numbers represent real people and real communities - a positive shift as we continue working towards culturally safe care. But progress is not just about access - it’s about self-determination, cultural safety, and First Nations-led approaches to healing. At headspace, we are committed to ensuring our services are culturally safe and responsive to the needs of First Nations young people, their families, communities, and staff. This means: ·      Embedding cultural safety as a core principle of our model of care  ·      Strengthening First Nations governance & leadership  ·      Partnering with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to deliver place-based, community-led support  ·      Valuing and incorporating First Nations approaches to social and emotional well-being in our services We recognise that Closing the Gap is about more than numbers, it’s about meaningful change, shaped by First Nations expertise, lived experience, and leadership. By continuing this work, we can build spaces where First Nations young people feel safe, valued, and empowered. #CloseTheGap 

Our National Youth Mental Health Survey told us that only 1 in 2 young people feel confident about their current or future career aspirations. That’s why headspace Work & Study Online provides meaningful support with finding a job or planning a study pathway, to help more young people overcome barriers, build confidence and reach their goals. It’s also free and online, meaning it can be accessed from any community in Australia. In the last financial year, headspace Work & Study Online supported over 2,700 young people around Australia, with 92% reporting satisfaction with the program. To learn more about the program, visit: https://bit.ly/4hbTPDr

A recent study published in Cambridge Core’s Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences examined the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s adolescents and young adults, utilising data from three waves of the headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey conducted in 2018, 2020 and 2022.     Co-authored by headspace Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Debra Rickwood, this research offers a unique contrast of youth mental health before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings reveal that while rates of psychological distress are consistently high, many young Australians demonstrate remarkable resilience. This underscores the importance of promoting positive mental health alongside addressing mental illness.    Read the complete paper here 👇: https://lnkd.in/edbUJV6r

We’d like to extend an enormous thank you and best wishes to our 2023-25 headspace Youth National Reference Group (hY NRG)! The 20 hY NRG members made an incredible impact at headspace this year, ensuring our work was accessible and relevant to young people across Australia. Across their term, hY NRG members meaningfully participated in over 100 campaigns, projects and initiatives throughout headspace, including: 💚 National media opportunities 💚 Advocating for young people at Parliament House 💚 Sitting on committees and advisory groups 💚 And much more! Thank you again to our 2023-25 hY NRG members: Annie Hong, Ash Wyllie, Devin Crowhurst, Fiona, Fox Williams, Isaiah Janiak, Jamil Nabole', Jayden Delbridge, Jhalak Arora (she/her), Joey Dijkstra, Justin Nguyen, Mike Chitnis, Paige Wood-Kenney, Reede Adams-Beckett, Ronan Hart, Sarthak Gandhi, Sereena Zanuso, Shahani Asmi Kiyabdeen, Varun Gandhi and Victoria Marchiori. Stay tuned for the announcements of our 2025/26 hY NRG superstars!

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 at headspace! Today, the team at headspace came together both virtually and in person for a UN Women Australia hosted event to reflect on gender equality, power and opportunities for women, and the next generation of young women and girls as catalysts for lasting societal change.   We were especially inspired by our own leaders: Jacara Egan, Head of Operations, First Nations Cultural Practice and Engagement, who honoured the strength of First Nations women and how we can march forward with our country’s ancestral wisdom of living in balance with earth, country and community. Nicole Harvey, headspace Executive Director of People and Culture, who highlighted headspace’s ongoing commitment to gender equity and the women who make up an incredible 78% of our workforce. An important reminder that we all have a role to play in striving towards gender equity.  #IWD2025 #GenderEquity #UNWomenAustralia

This March is all about highlighting headspace Work & Study! Our recent survey with Australian families found that 1 in 5 are concerned about the impact work or study stress can have on a young person’s mental health. New evidence reveals that young people who receive tailored support through a headspace Work and Study programs are up to one third more likely to have better mental health and wellbeing, compared to those who receive standard care. Tailored support with work or study can help improve resilience, build life skills and help young people feel confident and connected. Read the full findings https://lnkd.in/e5Up4eX6