GUEST SPEAKER, ANNE WATERS

Chair, Svet Lineham introduced Anne Waters who has been the Regional Manager of headspace Warrnambool since 2012.  Anne has brought to her role 15 years in managing the aged, disability and community development branch at Warrnambool City Council, and 10 years in managing the de-institutional transition of many people with a disability and their families into community residential services. Bringing her wealth of leadership and management experience to headspace Warrnambool  has seen a consistent growth in the development of the headspace service model, through partnership and workforce development, improved service coordination and integration, and most importantly, increasing access to services for young people in our region.

Anne provided a presentation on the history of the development of headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, an overview of the national headspace strategy, rapid growth and further directions.

An interactive quiz tested our Rotarians knowledge about young people and mental health issues, reinforcing the purpose and need for a nationally branded, easy to access youth friendly service.

An overview of headspace Warrnambool development and growth over the past 3 years was provided, including governance, partnerships, and the demographic profile of young people accessing services.  Anne also outlined the significant importance of including family and friends in supporting young people with mental health problems to seek help early and provided a range of resources and information for members to take away.