Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of headspace Mackay. It is well known that young people living in rural and regional areas have a higher rate of mental health issues than their peers in the big cities. We see it in the news all the time, and it's no different for the people living in my electorate of Dawson. Back in 2013, the coalition government secured the funding to open this facility. Since then, headspace Mackay has provided invaluable and often life-saving support for our 12 to 25-year-olds who are facing the turbulent reality of adolescence. For that reason, I would like to celebrate and thank the staff of headspace Mackay for everything that they have done for our region in the last 10 years.

Being able to access critical healthcare services is a basic human need. Early intervention is critical to ensure our youth grow up to reach their full potential and live long, happy, healthy and adventurous lives. Again, thank you, headspace Mackay, for all you have done and will continue to do for our young people of Dawson. You are the unsung heroes and you should be incredibly proud of what you do, because I certainly am.