Pictured with me at Headspace here in Wagga Wagga yesterday are Alison Brook, the CEO of Relationships Australia Canberra and Region, Shane Thomas, the manager of Headspace Wagga Wagga, and psychiatrist Dr Adeel Arshad.

It was great to meet with Alison, Shane and Dr Adeel, who has just starting working regularly with Headspace in Wagga Wagga.

The state government late last year announced a multi-million dollar boost to Headspace in recognition of the added demand on its services since the outbreak of COVID-19.

This funding has allowed Headspace to fund a range of new initiatives, including introducing sessional psychiatrists into NSW centres.

The pandemic has had an enormous impact on the mental health of young people in our community, so I am pleased that Dr Adeel has joined the team at Headspace’s Wagga Wagga centre.