The new home of headspace Dubbo was officially opened today, in an event that marks 10 years of service delivery and a doubling of demand for mental health support from young people at Dubbo over the past five years.
Celebrating its tenth year of operations earlier this year, headspace Dubbo is the busiest of six NSW headspace services operated by Marathon Health and has experienced significant growth in that time.
Occasions of service increased by nearly 200% in the past five years – growing from 2,031 in 2002-21 to 3,901 in 2024-25, with 669 young people aged 12 to 25 seeking support last year.
The new centre at 206-214 Macquarie Street is alongside Marathon Health’s new premises in the heart of Dubbo and is also home to Australia’s largest commissioned outreach service to support the mental health of young people.
Nearly half the young people who visited headspace Dubbo identified as First Nations – four times the average of 12% across headspace centres nationally.
Megan Callinan, Marathon Health CEO said the new office was home to the headspace team, while also being a key support hub for a network of Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Workers spread across 10 small Western NSW rural communities where they deliver outreach youth mental health services.
“The growth that headspace Dubbo has experienced in the past 10 years reflects both the evolving mental health and wellbeing needs of young people and the changing nature of our workforce, which now more closely reflects our community,” Ms Callinan said.
“The headspace Outreach Program (hOP) is staffed by Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Workers who took part in an Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative we developed to grow a workforce to respond to local needs across the communities of Bourke, Brewarrina, Collarenebri, Condobolin, Coonamble, Gulargambone, Lightning Ridge, Nyngan, Walgett, Warren.
“We also deliver a youth leadership program for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds at Dubbo in response to the changing nature of the city’s population and have peer workers on staff who can share their lived experience of mental health recovery.”
Jason Trethowan, CEO of headspace National said Dubbo was no exception when it came to the high demand for youth mental health services across Australia.
“With this ongoing local service now in a prominent CBD location, we hope to meet the growing demand for support from young people, their families and friends,” Mr Trethowan said.
“We are optimistic that the youth-friendly and inclusive work of headspace will help break down the stigma of mental health and build greater awareness and understanding of the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing.”
Brad Porter, CEO of the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) said he is pleased to see the new headspace location in Dubbo officially open its doors.
“The new location allows for the expansion of vital youth mental health support, closer to where it’s needed, in a modern, well-designed space.
“Through the hOP and its Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative, we’re ensuring that young people across the region have easier access to care, connection and the confidence to seek help early.
“The Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Workers are critical to ensuring small and more remote communities in the region have access to the headspace program through local connections,” Mr Porter said.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride said the Albanese Labor Government is investing more than $290 million in headspace this year to improve services and expand the network across the country.
“We know how much of an impact headspace Dubbo has already had over the past ten years, and the centre’s new home will mean it can deliver more help to more young people,” Ms McBride said.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that is expanding headspace and making sure it meets the needs of young Australians today.”
Young people can also access Individual Placement Support (IPS) at headspace Dubbo, with more than 90 young people gaining support to find a pathway to education or to find and keep employment with an employer that respects their needs since July 2024.
IPS participants since 2018 have included young people whose history of trauma and mental health challenges were significant barriers to engaging with school.
Some have secured casual employment that led to ongoing roles, while others studied at TAFE and several became the first in their family to complete high school.
The new headspace Dubbo was completed with funding from the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing through Western NSW Primary Health Network and was part of the development of a new Marathon Health office in the CBD, which now houses up to 70 staff.
Young people can self-refer into headspace, or be referred by family, friends, a GP or external service providers – either in-person, by phone or online. Visit headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/dubbo/ for details. Young people who prefer online support can visit eheadspace at headspace.org.au or phone 1800 650 890.
