The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland) Services Ltd is proud to mark more than a decade of service as the lead agency of headspace Cairns, providing vital mental health and counselling services to youth across Far North Queensland.
Over the last 10 years, headspace Cairns has delivered almost 60,000 occasions of service to more than 7,500 young people.
They ensure that individuals aged 12 to 25 can access help through a wide range of mental health services and programs when needed, at no cost to the client.
Services include physical and sexual health with a GP, mental health services with clinicians and counsellors, and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) and vocational/educational supports.
Additional PHN-funded programs that operate from headspace Cairns include a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Program, a Suicide Self-Harm Response Service and a clinical outreach service for those young people living in the Cairns Hinterland.
RFDS (Queensland Section) State Manager Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll said the longstanding partnership reinforces the Flying Doctor’s commitment to expand its mental health workforce to help meet demand.
“The RFDS is always looking at ways to broaden our scope of healthcare delivery for the people of Queensland, and through our partnership with headspace Cairns, we can reach our youth,” Dr Driscoll said.
“headspace Cairns is one of the busiest headspace centres across Australia and we are very proud to be part of this service.
“Our team at headspace Cairns play a pivotal role in the lives of youth, offering vital support and a wealth of resources to help them navigate any challenges they may face.
“Whether it’s providing a compassionate ear to listen to, offering guidance or connecting individuals to the right services, their commitment is commendable.
“Together we are building bright futures for young people in regional, rural and remote communities.”
headspace Cairns Manager Helen Isenhour said the last 10 years had been a remarkable journey of growth for the organisation and a real team effort.
“It takes passionate and committed staff, a supportive consortium, robust community partnerships and a great lead agency, and thankfully we have all of those at headspace Cairns,” Helen said.
“Young people and families receiving the right support at the right time is what we always strive for.
“The support RFDS provides as the lead agency to headspace Cairns is pivotal to delivering on this.
“The fact that we are in this together makes all the difference.”
headspace Cairns Independent Chair Hon Warren Entsch has proudly supported the organisation since its launch and said the organisation was one of the bookends of mental health.
“headspace Cairns is absolutely critical as it identifies young people who are at risk and facilitates early treatment and intervention,” Warren said.
“Whenever a family experiences challenges, headspace Cairns is always very quickly recommended.
“We have a fantastic team and I congratulate them.”
Any young person, family, or friend in need of support can visit headspace Cairns between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday (until 7:30pm Thursday) at Level 2, 42 Grafton Street.
Support is also available via phone and online counselling service eheadspace seven days a week between 9am–1am (AEST). The number is 1800 650 890.
Those seeking immediate help can call Lifeline (13 11 14) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) 24/7.
headspace Cairns is operated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland) Services Ltd. All headspace services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. Administration of funding is carried out by the headspace centre’s local Primary Health Network.
