A new mental health clinic for Wyndham youth has been flooded with requests for help.
Kim Wood, centre manager for headspace, the national mental health foundation, said dozens of young people aged 15 to 21 had walked into the Wyndham clinic since it opened its doors in Duncans Road, Werribee, on February 28.
The centre has received 50 phone calls from local young people seeking help.
Schools across Wyndham have also expressed interest in running mental health programs with the health service.
“Many of the youth we have seen so far are going through a hard time, whether that be at home or school,” Ms Wood said.
“Mainly they are depressed and anxious and not coping with school or work, or they may have problems with bullying, relationships with family, friends or a partner.”
The Werribee centre offers access to professionals who specialise in mental health and counselling on issues ranging from drug and alcohol problems to general health, sexual education and contraception, and relationships.
Clinical services manager Scott Ward said that until last month, Wyndham’s young people had been forced to travel to headspace centres in Sunshine and Geelong.
He said the clinic sought to equip young people with skills to look after their health and wellbeing and cope with difficult emotions.
Headspace is working with other outer-west welfare services, including Whitelion and ISIS Primary Care, to gauge which types of mental health concern require the most attention.
» 8001 2366 or headspace.org.au
