Commentary: Is Australian headspace socioculturally westernised, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic in conceptualisation and accessibility?. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Looi, Jeffrey CL; Kisely, Stephen R; Bastiampillai, Tarun; Allison, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Australasian psychiatry. Volume 31:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: headspace -- westernised, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic -- sociocultural -- culturally and linguistically diverse -- accessibility; Psychiatry -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1177/10398562231153007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1039-8562

Abstract

Objective: The Australian headspace model has been proposed as an internationally significant exemplar for reducing the mental health 'treatment gap' amongst young people around the world. We provide a commentary that discusses the conceptualisation and delivery of headspace services within Australia, a predominantly Westernised, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) society, as well as examining accessibility and suitability for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Conclusion: headspace was conceptualised, designed, implemented and evaluated according in a WEIRD sociocultural context, and is therefore most applicable to that setting. Australia also has CALD communities, who have not seemed to access headspace in the reported patient and staff demographics. On this basis, there may be questions about the potential generalisability of headspace models outside WEIRD societies.