Youth community services
There is a range of community-based services available including:
- community health centres
- psychologists
- psychiatrists
- youth health services
- accommodation support services
- youth development officers and many more.
You may like to contact your local council for a list of help services available to young people in your area.
Some of the services available may include:
Community health centres
Most areas of the country will have a community health centre which provides a range of health services to the local community. Sometimes, they’ll have specialist youth services which are generally offered free of change.
Youth health services
In some areas, particularly in the bigger cities, there are specific youth health services. The type of people who work there will vary from city to city, but generally they’ll provide counselling, a GP service, health promotion and a range of other activities which aim to improve young people’s health.
Youth support services
Again these will vary from organisation to organisation, but generally they can offer one-on-one counselling or support groups for young people. These are often part of non-government organisations such as the Salvation Army, Mission Australia, Wesley Mission and Anglicare. It’s best to check with each agency as the services offered will vary from state to state.
Local council/shire youth services
Most councils or shires run programs for young people. Check with your local council as to what they offer.
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
These services, commonly known as CAMHS, are located within each health area of each state. They have been set up to provide support to young people from under 18 years who are experiencing mental health problems such as depression. They have health professionals on hand to work with young people and their families.
Find health services in your area
headspace - www.headspace.org.au
Information, support and help near you. headspace, Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, provides services, support and information for young people who are having a tough time.
Kids Help Line - www.kidshelp.com.au
The Lifeline National Service Finder - www.lifeline.org.au/find_help/service_finder
More information and support is also available from the following websites:
ReachOut.com — www.reachout.com – information and support for young people going through tough times· If you want to find a number of different community-based services available to you, try searching in the Who Cares database featured on the ReachOut.com website.
If you or a friend want to communicate with someone via email or online, Kids Help Line offers confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Centre for Adolescent Health - The Centre for Adolescent Health aims to improve the health and wellbeing of young people aged between 10 and 24 through providing clinical services, education, training and research.
beyondblue - www.beyondblue.org.au, more information on depression, anxiety, available treatments and where to get help.
