headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.
Information and services for young people, their families and friends as well as health professionals can be accessed through our website, headspace centres, online counselling service eheadspace, the Digital Work and Study Service and postvention su***de support program headspace School Support.
One in four young people have experienced a mental health issue in the past 12 months – a higher prevalence than all other age groups. Alarmingly, su***de is the leading cause of death of young people, accounting for one third of all deaths.
Research shows that 75 per cent of mental health issues emerge before the age of 25. By treating these issues early and providing a holistic model of support, the risk of them developing into more serious problems is greatly decreased.
headspace outcomes
headspace undertakes a range of activities to increase the awareness of our services and how to access them among young people, their families, friends and the broader community.
A number of targeted national campaigns help headspace talk to hard to reach groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, and encourage them to access support at headspace or other appropriate mental health services.
We’re proud to say that headspace has provided over 2 million* services (centres, online and phone) helping 355,000* young people.
headspace centres
headspace centres are located across metropolitan, regional and rural areas of Australia. They are built and designed with input from young people so they don't have the same look or feel as other clinical services. The centres are there to help people access health workers – whether it’s a GP, psychologist, social worker, alcohol and drug worker, counsellor, vocational worker or youth worker.
Services at a headspace centre are either free, or have a low cost. You can ask if there is a cost when you make your appointment. Some services require you to have a referral from a doctor; but don't worry headspace can help you with this as well.
The role that headspace centres play in helping young people has been overwhelmingly effective, with 60 per cent of our clients showing significant improvement. The other 40 per cent are still on their journeys and are continuing to receive services at headspace or alternative services.
Confidentiality
When you talk to headspace, what you say is kept confidential. This means nothing you say can be passed on to anyone else without your permission. However, there are a couple of exceptions. If headspace is seriously worried about your safety or the safety of someone else they must - by law - try to keep everyone safe. This means they might have to share their concerns with someone else. For more information read our privacy policy or feel free to chat to headspace.
*Statistic accurate as of 30 June 2017
