The First Step Program

The First Step Program First Step is a not-for-profit addiction, mental health and legal services hub in Melbourne. All for free. All from one team. All at one site.

We provide free services to thousands of vulnerable Victorians every year. First Step provides a uniquely multi-disciplinary team of GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, lawyers, mental health nurses, care coordinators, counsellors, and peer group educators. Many of our clients live stable lives, connected with family, work and education. But our multi-disciplinary team specialises in supporting people with complex needs, those at risk of hospitalisation for their mental health, imprisonment, homelessness, or worse. At First Step we believe that chronic addiction is generally a long-term, painful adaptation to childhood abuse and neglect, and that timely and effective treatment is a matter of social justice that benefits all of society. We work to keep people connected to their families, participating in society and taking control of their own lives. Learn more about our work at www.firststep.org.au. COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

The First Step Program page provides a space for people to find out more about First Step, as well as to encourage discussion about important issues like substance use disorders and mental illness. First Step monitors its social media pages between 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays only. First Step posts are occasionally automatically generated outside of these hours and on Victorian public holidays, if this occurs the posts will not be moderated until the following business day between 9am to 5pm. Please be respectful of all points of view and refrain from personal attacks on other users and people who may be featured in our posts. First Step will remove any posts which:

• are likely to be offensive to other readers;
• discuss methods or depicts images of su***de or self-harm;
• discuss drug usage in an unbalanced way, e.g. omit the negative effects;
• contain unhelpful advice, such as blaming a person for their alcohol or other drug use;
• are dogmatic, such as setting out courses of action as “the only way”;
• are racist, sexist, trans/bi/homophobic or in any other way discriminatory;
• are obscene, or uses graphic sexual language;
• are defamatory, or overly critical of services or organisations which provide help to others;
• are likely to cause harm/distress to other people reading the story;
• are posted for commercial purposes; or
• promote inaccurate, inappropriate or harmful health advice. Users who repeatedly violate the above conditions may be blocked from the First Step page. The First Step page does not provide counselling or crisis services. If you need immediate assistance, please call the National Home Doctor Service on 13 74 25. In an emergency situation, please call 000. If a post on any First Step social media page indicates a person may be at risk of harm, First Step will reply to the post as soon as possible and provide information on counselling and crisis support services. In some instances, First Step may report a post which indicates a person may be at risk of harm to authorities, including the police. First Step can take no responsibility for comments from followers on the First Step social media pages.

What does the future look like when lived experience leads?Clare Davies, CEO of , brings a peer-led lens to the First St...
19/01/2026

What does the future look like when lived experience leads?

Clare Davies, CEO of , brings a peer-led lens to the First Step Futures Forum, asking what must change for systems to reflect the people they serve.

Let’s imagine the next 25 years together.

Free to attend but registration essential:
https://events.humanitix.com/first-step-futures-forum

Date: Wed 11 February 2026
Time: 3:00–5:00pm
Venue: St Kilda Town Hall

We’re asking one big question: What do we want our sectors to look like in 25 years?Join us at First Step’s biggest Thou...
14/01/2026

We’re asking one big question: What do we want our sectors to look like in 25 years?

Join us at First Step’s biggest Thought Leadership event yet - the Futures Forum - where we will explore what the next 25 years of care, justice and equity could look like.

Free to attend but registration essential:
https://events.humanitix.com/first-step-futures-forum

Date: Wed 11 February 2026
Time: 3:00–5:00pm
Venue: St Kilda Town Hall

We’re proud to present the First Step Futures Forum, a bold public conversation exploring the future of mental health, A...
09/01/2026

We’re proud to present the First Step Futures Forum, a bold public conversation exploring the future of mental health, AOD, justice and lived experience.

Hosted by Rev Tim Costello AO, this in-the-round panel event brings together sector leaders, decision-makers and community voices to ask:

What do we want our sectors to look like in 25 years?

Speakers include:

Sheree Lowe, Executive Director, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc
Professor Patrick McGorry AO, Executive Director, Orygen
Clare Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Help Addiction Resource Centre - SHARC

Date: Wednesday 11 February 2026
Time: 3:00–5:00pm (doors open 2:30pm)
Venue: St Kilda Town Hall
Free event – registration essential:
https://events.humanitix.com/first-step-futures-forum

Presented by First Step in partnership with - The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association and Mental Health Victoria

Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen.At First Step, we walk alongside people for as long as it takes.Tha...
24/12/2025

Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen.

At First Step, we walk alongside people for as long as it takes.

That’s what true care looks like.

And it’s your generosity that keeps our doors open to anyone who needs us.

Until tonight, your donation will be matched and doubled by a generous local supporter.

Please donate NOW: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

Thank you to everyone who has supported First Step this month.Because of you, more people are finding safety, stability ...
22/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who has supported First Step this month.

Because of you, more people are finding safety, stability and hope through our whole-person care model.

Your generosity keeps our doors open to anyone who needs us.

But there is still time to have your donation matched and doubled by a generous local supporter if you give before 24 December.

Please donate today: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

We’re so grateful to walk this journey with you.

Every donation to First Step helps fund free, wraparound support for people facing trauma, substance use and mental ill-...
22/12/2025

Every donation to First Step helps fund free, wraparound support for people facing trauma, substance use and mental ill-health.

It keeps our doors open, our team working side by side, and our community connected to the care they deserve.

Your generosity truly makes a difference. 💚

Please donate today: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

PLUS: your gift before 24 December will be matched and doubled by a generous local supporter.

There’s still time to make twice the impact.Every dollar you give before 24 December will be matched and doubled by a ge...
21/12/2025

There’s still time to make twice the impact.

Every dollar you give before 24 December will be matched and doubled by a generous local supporter.

Your gift helps someone like Emma feel seen, supported and safe.

Please donate today: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

Last year, First Step provided more than 15,000 appointments to over 1,600 people, all free of charge.Each appointment r...
20/12/2025

Last year, First Step provided more than 15,000 appointments to over 1,600 people, all free of charge.

Each appointment represents someone finding safety, connection and support when they needed it most.

That’s the power of compassion and community in action.

Please donate today to support our life changing work: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

Every day at First Step, our doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived-experience workers share updates, insight...
19/12/2025

Every day at First Step, our doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived-experience workers share updates, insights and ideas so each person in our care gets the support they need that day.

There’s no silos, just a group of people working side by side, focused on safety, dignity and what matters most to our clients.

This is the quiet work that makes the biggest difference.

It’s teamwork that changes lives.

Please donate today: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

PLUS: your gift today will be matched and doubled by a generous local supporter.

Victoria has released its first-ever Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy - a long-awaited and welcome step for our sector.I...
18/12/2025

Victoria has released its first-ever Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy - a long-awaited and welcome step for our sector.

In this month’s CEO blog, Patrick reflects on what it gets right, where it aligns with First Step’s approach, and why investment now really matters.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Strategy

After 55 years as a GP, the wonderful, passionate and tireless Dr John Sherman retires today.From St Kilda to Footscray ...
17/12/2025

After 55 years as a GP, the wonderful, passionate and tireless Dr John Sherman retires today.

From St Kilda to Footscray and back to St Kilda at First Step, John has provided expert, compassionate and often life-saving care to tens of thousands of people, some of whom he supported for decades.

First Step has been a much richer place because of John. Our clients benefited not only from his clinical expertise, but from the welcome, the advice, the friendly handshake and the steady, non-judgemental presence he brought, even in the most difficult moments.

Given the nature of his work, particularly in alcohol and other drug medicine, it’s impossible to measure the full impact, but it’s almost certain John saved many lives. He also helped ease suffering, support families, keep people connected to work or study, and rebuild social connections.

Everyone at First Step, along with countless current and former clients, wishes John a rich and rewarding retirement. With his family, friends, fitness routine, love of books and deep curiosity, we doubt there will be many quiet moments ahead.

Thank you, John, and all the very best.

(If you would like to leave John a message, we will pass it on.)

16/12/2025

The recent tragic events in Bondi have deeply impacted our community, and we share in the grief and shock felt by so many. Our thoughts are with those directly affected and with the broader communities who are hurting.

This tragedy resonates profoundly with us because of our longstanding connections with our Jewish communities, clients, families, colleagues and friends. We stand in solidarity and reaffirm our commitment to dignity, safety, and respect. First Step opposes all forms of violence, persecution and terrorism.

Compassion and respect are at the heart of what we do at First Step. These values guide every interaction and every decision. In times like this, we remain committed to ensuring that kindness, understanding and care shape how we support our clients, colleagues, and communities we work alongside. Together, we will keep working toward a safer, more connected community.

Catherine Easton
Chair

Patrick Lawrence
CEO

Address

18 Mitford Street
St Kilda, VIC
3182

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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Our Story

First Step is a mental health and addiction treatment ‘hub’ located in St.kilda, Vic. For nearly 20 years we have practiced the team care of clients, providing free-of-charge access to GP's (with vast AOD experience) psychologists, psychiatrists, case workers, mental health nurses, criminal and specialist family violence lawyers among others.

All practitioners practice from the one location at 42 Carlisle Street, St.Kilda. This is essential for people suffering from acute addiction & mental health as they are often too chaotic to cope with multiple appointments and whose care is optimised by accessing the expertise of multiple practitioners all working together.

First Step truly understands that effective treatment of highly complex conditions (like mental ill-health and addiction) is contingent on the input of different areas of expertise and this is extensively facilitated within the operating structure of First Step.

It is our mission to ensure that every person has every chance to turn their lives around.