Video Transcription
Visiting a headspace centre
When it comes to mental health, sometimes we can feel good, but other times things can feel really tough. If you’re feeling a lot of worry or losing motivation for things you usually like to do, you can reach out to headspace.
Headspace is the national youth mental health foundation for young people aged 12 to 25. Whether it’s talking to someone about not feeling yourself, speaking to a GP or nurse about your physical or sexual health, needing help with your schoolwork or other studies, or if you’re having a hard time with alcohol or other drug use, headspace is here to support you.
Headspace centers are easily accessed in communities across the country. When you get there, you’ll see that headspace centers are welcoming and friendly places designed with young people in mind. At some headspace centers, you can just drop in, but most of the time it’s best to contact the center to make an appointment.
If you’re not comfortable doing this, you can ask a friend or family member to do it for you, or you can speak to a doctor to write you a referral. Depending on the center you go to, the appointment will be free or may cost a small amount. You can ask for details when booking.
On your first visit to headspace, you’ll be asked to fill out a registration form. Then, each time you visit, you’ll be asked to complete a brief survey about your experiences. Headspace takes your confidentiality, privacy, and safety seriously and is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information.
Once registered, you’ll get to sit down with a team member and share what’s been impacting your well-being. You’ll then discuss which headspace worker will be best to support you, for instance, a psychologist, social worker, or GP. Headspace has a team of professionals ready to support you to reach your mental health and wellbeing goals.
Appointments usually take about 45 minutes. If you find it’s not working out with the headspace worker you’ve got, don’t worry. Headspace will help you find the right person for you. And if you want, a family member can also come along.
After your first visit, a team member will stay in touch to provide you with information or keep you connected to various support services. Working things out doesn’t have to end there. You can create an account at headspace.org.au, where you can find more advice and info, join group chats with experts or other young people, or talk to a professional online.
Headspace is well-connected with local communities, and there are ways for you to get involved and support your center. Headspace centers have youth reference groups, which make sure headspace is youth-friendly, relevant, and advocates for youth mental health in your local community.
If you’re a family member or a friend of a young person who might be going through a tough time, some centers have ways for you to get involved as well. Just chat to your center to find out how.
Talking about mental health can seem really hard. If you’re going through a tough time, look up headspace online or in your local community to get the support.
