Local Indigenous staff are now on the front-line in building a web of mental health support for young people in small towns across the western plains.

The official launch of the Headspace Outreach Program (hOP) in Dubbo earlier this month marked a milestone in the program which provides free, culturally-safe mental health support to young people between the ages of 12 to 25 years who reside in 10 communities across Western NSW.

It's taken a while to get to this point but the process used is intended to deeply root the program into the communities it services and grow it from the ground up.

Not only has it been a collaboration between Marathon Health, headspace National and Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN), young people and key community stakeholders in Warren, Walgett, Bogan and Coonamble shires co-designed the program.

They hope to show young people the best ways to find local services that support health, social and wellbeing concerns, as well as improving literacy around mental health and how to best source these services.

A local First Nations Workforce Development Initiative is a key part of the process, working from the understanding that the service needed to be delivered by a culturally appropriate and well-connected workforce..

WNSW PHN CEO, Brad Porter said that the Aboriginal Workforce Development initiative gives the skills, knowledge, and wisdom to build a better healthcare system that serves everyone in the community.

WNSW PHN CEO, Brad Porter [Image WNSW PHN]

Program participants completed a Certificate III or IV qualification in community services, primary health or mental health.

“This program has provided important access to paid training opportunities within these communities for 29 First Nations people.

“The program achieved a 100% employment rate, with ten graduates now working as hOP Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Workers,” Mr Porter said.

The program funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care as a headspace outreach service, is operating in:

• Nyngan, Warren and Condobolin – launched in October 2024

• Coonamble and Gulargambone – launched in October 202

• Bourke and Brewarrina – launched in March 2025

• Lightning Ridge, Walgett and Collarenebri – launched in March -2025.

Megan Siemsen Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Worker in Nyngan [Image: Community Hub Nyngan]

Megan Siemsen is the Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Worker situated in Nyngan and says the hOP program is making a real difference to kids in the town.

“There are a lot of young people engaging in the program,” said Ms Siemsen

“We have partnered with many services to bring different and exciting things to Nyngan. We had a disco in the holidays for World Mental Health Day. We had creative community visit during the holidays to do a colour run, to assist in the social and emotional wellbeing space and to help boost morale and mental health outcomes.

“It is really making a difference,” said Ms Siemsen.

Headspace National CEO Jason Trethowan [Image Headspace]

National CEO Jason Trethowan said that no matter where young people live in the west, that headspace is dedicated to making sure young people can have access to support.

“The presence of headspace in more rural communities across Western NSW is something we are proud of.

“I want to thank Marathon Health and all local communities for their generosity and expertise in helping headspace to shape the way services are designed to meet local needs for young people,” Mr Trethowan said.