Young people at risk of mental health and drug and alcohol problems in the inner west will benefit from a $920,000 grant aimed at improving awareness, access to and integration of existing services in the community.

Headspace, Australia’s national youth mental health foundation, is funded by the Australian Government to provide people aged 12 to 25 with better mental health support, as well as help for drug and alcohol problems.

The agency which has received the grant from Headspace for the inner west/city is the Central Sydney Division of General Practice which is based in Ashfield. They will receive almost $1 million to cover the costs of establishment, and to help better coordinate youth mental health and drug and alcohol support services.

There is a pressing need for the grant, with as many as one young Australian in four having a mental health problem in any 12-month period. There are also strong links between drug and alcohol abuse and mental health problems.

Health workers know that early intervention and support are vital for young people in trying to manage mental health problems.

“This investment will help ensure young people in Grayndler can get the support they need, at a time when they need it,” said Anthony Albanese.

The program will cover Marrickville, Camperdown, Redfern and Waterloo, with a particular focus on better establishing services in Marrickville.

“The Rudd Labor Government is committed to investing in health to achieve better outcomes. By getting to problems early, we can help prevent them becoming larger problems in the long term. This investment will help young people in Grayndler who are facing potential mental health issues,” said Anthony Albanese.