A youth mental health service in Deception Bay is now providing culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people across Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region.
The service, known as Staying Deadly | headspace Deception Bay, offers support for young people aged 10 to 25 who are experiencing, or may be at risk of, mild to moderate mental health concerns. It is located on the lands of the Kabi Kabi people along Deception Bay Road.
The centre provides free access to a range of health and wellbeing services designed to support young people and their families in a culturally safe environment.
Culturally Focused Youth Support In Deception Bay
The Deception Bay service has been described as a headspace model in an urban setting with a strong focus on care for First Nations young people.
Support is available across several areas including mental health care, physical and sexual health, assistance with work and study, and counselling related to alcohol and other drug use.
Young people can walk into the centre or contact the service directly to seek help, with no referral required. Practitioners may meet young people at the centre or within community settings depending on individual needs.
Community-Based Care Model
The centre operates with a multidisciplinary team including mental health clinicians, health practitioners and care coordinators from the local community. Identified Indigenous roles are included in the workforce to strengthen cultural understanding and trust.
Programs delivered through the centre include cultural connection activities, community-led programs and early intervention support designed to help young people access assistance before concerns escalate.
Instead of a formal intake process, the service begins with a “connection yarn”, a conversation that focuses on building trust and understanding between young people and practitioners from the first interaction.
Addressing Youth Mental Health Needs
The service was established to strengthen mental health literacy and encourage young people to seek support earlier when they experience distress.
National data referenced in service information indicates suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain more than twice those of non-Indigenous Australians, with almost 80 per cent of deaths occurring among people aged 15 to 44.
By providing culturally grounded care within the community, the Deception Bay service aims to improve access to mental health support for young people across the region.
Part Of A National Youth Mental Health Network
The centre forms part of the national headspace network of youth mental health services.
Across Australia there are currently 175 headspace centres, with plans to expand the network to 203 locations.
The Deception Bay service was commissioned by Brisbane North Primary Health Network and is delivered through a partnership with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and the headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation.
The centre operates Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., providing walk-in support as well as scheduled appointments.
Published 12-Mar-2026
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