Kids Helpline has announced the inauguration of a new counselling centre in Melbourne through support from the Bupa Foundation.
The expansion is a response to heightened demand for counselling services, particularly from Victoria, which contributes to 25% of the helpline’s national enquiries.
“Extending our operations into Melbourne means that we can continue our long establishment relationship with children and young people across the state, and by expanding our counsellor numbers that gives young people across Victoria greater access to counselling support when they need it most,” said yourtown CEO Tracy Adams. “We will also continue to work closely with schools and other support services to ensure that no child or young person cannot access professional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Adams acknowledged the vital support provided by the Bupa Foundation, Kids Helpline’s main partner, in making the Melbourne centre a reality.
“We are grateful for the ongoing generous support from Bupa Foundation, which has been instrumental in establishing our new counselling centre in central Melbourne,” she said.
In support of the new Melbourne centre, Roger Sharp, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer at Bupa APAC, expressed the foundation’s dedication to improving the mental health of young people in Australia.
“We are really pleased that through supporting the opening of this new centre, we’re able to make a tangible contribution to improving the mental wellbeing of even more young Australians,” he said.
Kids Helpline is urging children and young individuals seeking support to contact it through its toll-free number 1800 55 1800, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or via Webchat at https://kidshelpline.com.au/.
This month, Bupa Foundation entered a partnership to launch a program aimed at educating teenagers about the impacts of screen time on mental health.
