It's been 12 months since Katoomba's headspace opened, for the first time providing easier access for young people in the upper mountains to ask for help. But its establishment has come at a time when record numbers of people, young and old, are reaching out.

The team has worked incredibly hard. They won't say it, but I can say that the initial funding for the satellite service simply couldn't cater to the need—especially when a very high proportion of kids reported suicidal ideation and self-harm. Headspace worked closely with other local services to try to meet the need. As a senior clinician said, 'We knew there was a high demand for a service,' yet it sti