Headspace Kempsey to be up and running by the end of the year

Kempsey was named as one of 30 towns to benefit from the Coalition Government's plan to establish Headspace units that will provide mental health services to local youth last year.

Headspace works with people between the ages of 12 and 25 with a focus on early intervention to help manage mental health.

Regional welfare agency Samaritans has been appointed by Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network to establish the centre at 60 Smith St opposite the Samaritans Hub.

Headspace Kempsey is expected to open its doors by the end of 2020.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan joined Headspace, North Coast Primary Health Network and Samaritans today for a breaking ground ceremony led by Dunghutti Elder Fred Kelly.

"This is fantastic news for the Macleay Valley community. Youth will be able to receive the mental health services they need, right here in the heart of Kempsey," Mr Conaghan said.

"To have our own Headspace centre here in Kempsey is very special and will create an additional layer of support to work with other services in the community.

"I want to thank the Minister for Health Greg Hunt for allocating $3.4 million over four years for this Headspace centre as I know it will make a real difference in the lives of young people living in the Macleay Valley."

Samaritans CEO Brad Webb said the service will offer support for young people in the local community.

"In the six years we have been supporting the Kempsey community, we have seen the ongoing and urgent need for a dedicated youth mental health centre," he said.

"It's exciting for Samaritans to expand the work we do and work with the other community organisations involved in establishing the centre.

"Samaritans have been delivering Headspace services since 2008 and is honoured to be selected to provide this vital service to the Kempsey community."

Healthy North Coast Director Steve Mann said the centre has been made possible by organisations coming together.

"We're very proud of this collaboration to get a Headspace centre in Kempsey, Healthy North Coast has been very happy to partner with all of the organisations involved in this project," he said.

"We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes."

The establishment of the Headspace will also create job opportunities for locals, with up to 10 full-time and part-time positions at the centre. At least five of these jobs will be for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"This is a great outcome for the Kempsey community," Mr Conaghan said.

Other local organisations that worked together to help establish the centre are Macleay Vocational College, Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service, Kempsey Suicide Prevention Action Plan and Baylin's Gift.