> Psychiatry and Neurology Clinical Services Suites Open

> Headspace Campbelltown Opens

On the 30th August 2007 the Vice-Chancellor opened a new wing of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at Camperdown, which has received substantial funding from the state government.

The Psychiatry and Neurology Clinical Services Suites, a $6 million enterprise, house several new initiatives of the BMRI, chief among them the Ultra High Risk Clinic. Chaired by Professor Ian Hickie, the clinic offers services to young people at high risk of mental disorder or ill health.

With over 40 per cent of all illnesses in Australia now attributed to diseases of the brain and mind, the BMRI represents an important step in health care and clinical research. It was opened in 2003, with major financial support from the University. To date, it is the only centre of its kind in the world.

On the evening of the opening Max Bennett launched his new book, Neuroscience and Philosophy: Brain, Mind, and Language (Columbia University Press). In the book, Professor Bennett and fellow neuroscientist Peter Hacker pit their considerable wits against philosophers Daniel Dennett and John Searle in debates concerning the brain, its function, and the subsequent role of the mind.

Keen to highlight the importance of research such as Professor Bennett's, and of the BMRI itself, Professor Hickie noted: "In all the developments here, high quality clinical science and high quality clinical research, in conjunction with the neurosciences, is what we're all about."

The BMRI has received a further $16 million from the NSW government for the forthcoming Youth Mental Health Building.

Young people in the Macarthur area who had mental health and drug and alcohol problems would find help and a safe haven at the new headspace service, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Brett Mason, said today.

He made the comments when officially opening headspace, an innovative new health service for young people, at Campbelltown.

"This $1,430,000 service provides a youth-friendly place in which young people can feel secure", Senator Mason said.

"This service will provide help from GPs, psychologists, youth workers, and alcohol and drug workers, as well as through education and employment programs."

The Macarthur centre is one of three headspace services already established in Australia, with a further seven to open within months and an additional 20 to be up and running by 2009.

"The headspace concept is an innovative approach to mental health care", Senator Mason said. "It will go a long way towards ensuring that young people with complex problems get the help they need as early as possible.

"Mental health is the number one health issue affecting young Australians today, with one in four young people aged from 12 to 25 years having a mental health problem in any 12-month period."

The new Macarthur service will be run by the Brain and Mind Research Institute and the University of Sydney.

"Headspace is funded under the $69 million Youth Mental Health Initiative and is further evidence of the Australian Governments commitment to improving the mental health of our young people", Senator Mason said.