headspace Cairns is a free and welcoming safe space for young people aged between 12 and 25 providing access, support and information for a broad range of concerns, including mental health, physical/sexual health, drug and alcohol, employment and education and support for families and carers.

headspace Cairns manager Gabrielle Gill said the organisation had delivered more than 50,600 services to 7,200 young people in Cairns since its launch in April 2012.

“It’s been a remarkable journey for our organisation locally, with our team growing from 9 staff when we started a decade ago to a team of 26 today,” Ms Gill said.

“During that time, we have become one of busiest centres out of 149 headspace centres across Australia, a testament to the hard work and passion all of our staff share for improving the lives of young people in Cairns.

“We look forward to another 10 years of working with our key stakeholders and delivering vital services to young people in our city.”

As the only MP in Australia who is the Independent Chair of a headspace service, Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he was proud to have supported the organisation since its launch a decade ago.

“It’s been incredible to support headspace Cairns from its formative years right through to today when the organisation continues to experience ever-increasing demand for its services,” Mr Entsch said.

“I’ve worked hard to lobby on their behalf in Canberra because improving access to high-quality, youth friendly mental health support is more important than ever, particularly given the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Over the years I’ve spoken with many parents who told me headspace Cairns helped turn their child’s life around. I congratulate the local team on their life-saving work and wish them well for another 10 years ahead.”

Dion, a young person who has used headspace services and is a current volunteer with the headspace Cairns Youth Reference Group, said headspace Cairns provided support at a time when he needed it most.

“I would absolutely recommend headspace to any young person who is feeling a bit lost and needs support in navigating the difficulties of life,” Dion said.

“Being able to return years later as a volunteer has helped me build my confidence and communication skills and seeing young people thrive has meant a lot to me.”

“I would like to thank the headspace team for the amazing work they put in. You can really feel the passion and genuine care that everyone has to help make real changes in young people’s lives.” Janet, the parent of a young person who has used headspace Cairns services in the past, said her family’s experience with the organisation was extremely positive.

“My daughter has been seeing a clinical psychologist at headspace for almost three years, but I still remember the very first time I brought her to an appointment,” Janet said.

“I immediately felt it was a good, safe and positive place for her. The staff at the desk were friendly, kind and generous, the posters and all the art on the walls done by the clients reinforced the sense of welcome and inclusion that I felt. As a mother, I was instantly reassured that my daughter would be looked after here.”

“It was her headspace psychologist who suggested the assessment that resulted in her current diagnosis. Their relationship has helped to keep her safe over the years, when things were happening that she did not want to talk to me about.

“Their relationship has been very positive for her and for me also because I have been able to get some understanding of what was happening for her and how best to relate to her.

“I would absolutely recommend headspace to others. I hope the headspace team realise what an amazing job they are doing and how much they are helping our kids to get through tough times.

“The way that the team has supported us and advocated for us has made a major difference to our lives, and my daughter and I have both really benefitted from our connection with headspace.” Meredith Staib, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS), the lead agency in supporting headspace Cairns, said the services provided by the local team were to be commended.

“This important 10-year milestone for headspace Cairns is also an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the dedication of the local team who deliver this essential service across the region.” “headspace and RFDS have a shared mission to provide Queenslanders with the finest care in the furthest corner, and we look forward to continuing this great relationship into the next decade,” she said.

NQPHN CEO Robin Whyte said the team at headspace Cairns could be proud of this achievement and the contribution they make every day to improving mental health outcomes for young people in the region.

“We are proud to work with both RFDS and headspace to support this crucial service.”

“With mental health being the single biggest health issue facing young Australians, the service headspace Cairns provides is essential.”

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate this milestone, as well as acknowledge the contribution headspace Cairns make every day to help ensure communities in the region live happier, healthier, and longer lives” said Robin.

headspace CEO Jason Trethowan congratulated the headspace Cairns team on their 10-year anniversary.

“It’s vital that young people can access youth-friendly support, close to them and appropriate to their needs. Never has this support been more critical than after these past couple of years where young people and their families have been faced with navigating life in a pandemic.

“headspace Cairns has been steadfast in their support for young people since day one and for that they should be incredibly proud,” Trethowan said.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is now inviting tender submissions to provide cultural competency training and other supports to mainstream primary health care providers across North Queensland.

Through the tender process, NQPHN will select appropriate provider(s) to plan, develop, and deliver Cultural Competency and Cultural Safety activities to mainstream primary health care services in Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Hinterland, and Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) regions.

NQPHN CEO Robin Whyte said the health needs of First Nations people is diverse and is more than just about an individual’s physical health.

“Evidence shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to access health services in environments that are physically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally safe, and where service providers communicate respectfully, build good relationships, have an awareness of the underlying social issues and understanding of culture, and where First Nations people are part of the health care team,” said Ms Whyte.

Improving cultural competency of mainstream primary care providers is one component of the Integrated Team Care (ITC) program, which is funded by the Australian Government under the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme.

The ITC program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live with complex chronic conditions to manage their conditions and to access and coordinate the health care they need.

“One of the aims of the ITC program is to provide Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with an increased level of access to culturally appropriate mainstream primary health care services, including but not limited to general practice, allied health, and specialists,” said Ms Whyte.

“Another of the program’s aims is to foster collaboration and support between the mainstream and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sectors.

“By achieving these two aims, First Nations residents in North Queensland will be better able to access the right care when they need it so they can better manage their chronic health condition and improve their health.

“We look forward to collaborating with the successful applicant/s to work towards achieving our vision of helping northern Queenslanders live happier, healthier, longer lives.”

This is an open-tender opportunity for a broad range of potential providers or consortia who can demonstrate the capability and capacity to deliver on the objective of improving the cultural competency of mainstream primary care services in Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Hinterland, and Torres and Cape HHSs regions.

Applicants interested in applying for the tender should visit NQPHN’s online procurement portal at www.nqphn.com.au/commissioning/etenderbox

Tender applications close on 10 May 2022.