Mental health pleas answered

Geraldton's youth are set to receive a boost, with a much-needed mental health facility on its way.

Today, Geraldton was announced as one of 15 communities across Australia who would be provided with a headspace centre over the next two years.

Headspace is a national mental health service for young people, run by the government.

It employs youth workers and mental health professionals who understand the issues facing young Australians, and provides services including counselling, education and employment, and alcohol and drug services.

Doctor Ian Taylor welcomed the news, saying there needed to be more focus on the mental health of young people.

"This is great news, particularly for the young people of Geraldton," he said.

"We have a number of places that offer counselling, but don't have one specifically for young people.

"However, we still need a dedicated in-patient mental health facility to avoid people having to travel to Perth for treatment."

Dr Taylor said headspace would provide a vital service, as young people didn't always grasp the consequences of their actions.

"A lot of young people don't understand the consequences, that death is death and once you're gone you can't come back," he said.

"Suicide in Australia is a big issue and I feel having headspace in Geraldton will make a difference for those struggling and give them somewhere to go and someone to talk to."

The headspace program was established in 2006.

The new sites will bring the total number of headspace locations across Australia to 100, which help more than 80,000 young people annually.

The extra 15 centres will be established in stages over the next two years. Federal member for Durack Melissa Price, who made the announcement, also welcomed the commitment to establish the centre.

"It is our youth that have greatest prevalence of mental illness, more than any other age group, with three-quarters of all mental illness presenting in people aged under 25 years," Ms Price said.

"The onset of mental illness is typically around mid-to-late adolescence and headspace centres provide nationally co-ordinated support services to youth with mental health, drug or alcohol problems.

"Through this single entry point, young people can receive mental health services or be referred to other appropriate services."

Local organisations should monitor the headspace website www.headspace.org.au for information about the expression of interest process for management of the new centre.