Tuesday 11 October 2016

Hunter Youth Urged To Seek Help For Mental Health Issues

BY IAN CROUCH

 It's been revealed many young people in the Hunter dealing with mental health issues are too embarrassed to seek help or can't afford it.

Research released as part of National Headspace Day has found half of 12 to 25 year olds who need treatment wait six months to act, while close to 45% believed they could not be helped.

The research also revealed close to 50% said cost was a barrier to them getting treatment.



Every year, a quarter of young people will experience mental health issues and the findings of the research has prompted the inaugural Headspace Day.

Community Development Officer for Headspace Newcastle, Byron Williams says the problem will only get worse if people don't receive support.

"Mental health issues are the single biggest health issue facing young Australians at the moment. We can talk about lots of different things but we still find it difficult to talk about mental health and part of Headspace Day is to decrease that stigma a little bit more and give us the tools to talk about mental health," he said.

Byron Williams Photo courtesy abc.net.au