Across south-west Victoria, demand for youth mental health support continues to grow – particularly in regional and rural communities where access to services can be limited.
Through delivery of headspace services in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton, Brophy plays a critical role in ensuring young people aged 12–25 can access timely, inclusive and youth-friendly mental health and wellbeing support close to home.
A regional network of support
Brophy’s headspace centres form a connected regional network, supporting young people across a wide geographic area and responding to increasingly complex presentations.
During 2024–25:
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More than 1,500 young people accessed support through Brophy-delivered headspace services
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Over 4,500 sessions were delivered across the three centres
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Demand remained strong across all locations, reflecting broader system pressures in youth mental health
Each centre is embedded within its local community, while benefiting from Brophy’s broader service system and partnerships.
headspace Warrnambool
headspace Warrnambool continues to operate as a major regional hub for youth mental health support.
Over the 2024-25 financial year:
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1,181 young people were supported
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279 new referrals were received
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3,619 sessions were delivered
The centre also hosted headspace Day, welcoming more than 160 young people to the Community & Youth Complex on Timor Street to connect, participate in wellbeing activities and learn about available supports.
headspace Portland
In Portland, headspace provides an essential service for young people in a smaller regional community where alternative supports can be limited.
During 2024–25:
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262 young people accessed the service
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73 new referrals were received
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681 sessions were delivered
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131 young people received direct support during the year
The service continues to play a key role in early intervention and ongoing mental health support for young people in the area.
headspace Hamilton
A major milestone for the year was the opening of headspace Hamilton in January 2025.
In its first five months of operation:
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67 new young people were supported
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298 sessions were delivered
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21% of young people identified as LGBTIQA+
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8% identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
These early figures highlight both the need for, and the importance of, accessible and inclusive youth mental health services in the Hamilton region.
The centre is staffed by a multidisciplinary team including youth mental health workers, social workers, intake staff and community engagement roles. It also offers access to telehealth counselling, online psychiatry assessments, secondary psychiatric consultation, alcohol and other drug support, and work and study assistance.
An Education Advisory Group has also been established, bringing together local schools, TAFE and wellbeing leaders to share insights, identify emerging trends and strengthen pathways for young people.
Responding to growing demand
Through its delivery of headspace services, Brophy remains committed to:
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Providing early, accessible mental health support
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Creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people
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Working in partnership with education, health and community organisations
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Strengthening place-based responses across south-west Victoria
As demand continues to grow, Brophy’s headspace services remain a vital part of the region’s mental health system — supporting young people to connect, recover and create the life they want.