NCOSS spoke with Seema Patel, Centre Manager for headspace Miranda & Hurstville about the impact poverty can have on a person’s mental health.

1. Tell us about headspace and the types of programs you run?

headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention services to young people aged 12 to 25. Our goal is to support young people in a holistic way, offering care across four key service streams:

• Mental health
• Physical and sexual health
• Alcohol and other drugs
• Work and study support
  
  

Locally at headspace Hurstville, we offer a range of additional services including family therapy, psychiatry, peer work support, and both social and clinical group programs. We also have a Community Engagement Coordinator who delivers outreach in the community to enhance mental health literacy, increase awareness, reduce stigma, and promote connection and wellbeing among young people and their families.

 

2. What are the impacts of poverty on a child’s mental health?

Poverty can have a profound and lasting impact on a young person’s mental health. When families experience financial hardship, young people may face instability, housing insecurity, and limited access to timely physical, educational, and mental health support.

These challenges can lead to chronic stress, feelings of shame or social exclusion, and can affect a young person’s self-esteem, sense of identity, and ability to concentrate at school. Over time, this increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and other long-term mental health difficulties.

 

3. Up to a third of young people say they feel anxious due to climate change and housing affordability, how can we address these big picture issues?

We need both systemic action and individual empowerment. On a systemic level, governments and communities must commit to policies that address the housing and climate crises. At the same time, it’s vital that we support and empower young people by building resilience from a young age, helping them find meaningful ways to take action, connect with others who share their values, and feel hopeful about the future.

4. What’s the biggest change we need to make to improve youth mental health?

We need to invest more in early identification and intervention, building capacity across communities, schools, and primary care settings to promote mental health, resilience, and social connection.

It’s also crucial that we continue breaking down stigma so that every young person feels comfortable seeking help and has access to the right support at the right time.

Ultimately, improving youth mental health is about creating environments where young people feel safe, supported, and heard. Having the additional funds to set up more community mental health centres like headspace is a good start.