6 Helpful Mental Health Organisations For Youth in Australia

Stigma around mental illnesses is still prevalent in Australia, as a result of extensive miseducation and outright disinterest in the topic. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of mental health organisations for youth in Australia, whose role is to fight that stigma and offer immediate help to the young people who need it.

Knowing a handful of these organisations, where they’re located, and at least one contact source could provide a young person with the early treatment they need. This, in turn, could reduce the chances of their mental illness worsening.

Whether you need immediate help or are trying to help someone else, you’ll find the resources you need here. In this post, we’ll be covering 6 mental health organisations you can find in Australia – as well as the different services, programs, and facilities they offer.

6 mental health organisations for youth

 1. Orygen

The “Y” in Orygen stands for “youth” and “gen” stands for the youth generation. The organisation’s goal is to see young people with mental health issues “getting well and staying well”. The Orygen team works directly with young people, their families and friends, and has pioneered new, positive approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders.

Website: www.orygen.org.au/

Phone number: +61 3 9966 9100

Opening hours: 9am-5pm (AEDT)

Physical address: 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville VIC 3052 Australia

2. Youth Projects

Youth Projects is an independent, registered charity which provides front-line support to young people and individuals experiencing unemployment, homelessness, alcohol and other substance abuse issues. Their goal is to provide life-changing opportunities through high- impact support.

Website:www.youthprojects.org.au

Phone number: +61 3 9304 9100

Opening hours: 9am-5pm (AEDT)

Physical address: 7-9 Hosier Lane Melbourne, 3000

3. Headspace

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. The organisation provides early intervention mental health services to 12-25-year-olds. Their support system includes resources for young people suffering with mental health, physical health, and substance abuse. They also offer work and study support, helping young people regain full control of their lives and mental health.

Website: www.headspace.org.au

Phone number: +61 3 9027 0100

Opening hours: 9am-5pm (AEDT)

Physical address: Kaurna Country, 173 Wakefield St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

4. Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is Australia’s most widely known and visited mental health organisation. It focuses on supporting and treating young people affected by anxiety, depression, and suicide ideations.

Beyond Blue works with the community to improve mental health in youth and prevent suicide, “so that all people in Australia can achieve their best possible mental health”.

Website: www.beyondblue.org.au

Phone number: +61 3 9810 6100

Opening hours: 9am-5pm (AEST)

Physical address: 6100 Hawthorn, VIC 3122 Australia

5. ReachOut

ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia.Thanks to their support services, it’s a lot easier for parents to help their teenagers, through difficult times. The organisation has been advocating for mental health for 20 years, and counting.

Website: www.au.reachout.com/

Phone number: +61 2 8029 7777

Opening hours: 9am-5pm (AEST)

Physical address: 35 Saunders Street Pyrmont NSW 2009

6. Kids Help Line

Kids Helpline is Australia’s free, confidential, 24/7 available online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. The organisation provides a child-focused practice, committing to providing services that protect children from harm. Struggling young people and particularly children may reach out to the helpline any time, for any reason.

Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au

Phone number: +61 7 3368 3399

Opening hours: 8am-5pm (AEST)

How do I know if I or someone I know needs mental health support?

You’ll know a person needs mental health support, even if that person is you, when you notice certain signs. These patterns include, but aren’t limited to:

• A lack of enjoyment in activities they used to be passionate about.
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
• Withdrawal from friends and family.
• Extended feelings of sadness and/or fear.
• Noticeable changes in personality.

Knowing whether a person needs mental health support will require a period of observation. If one or more of the above signs become patterns, this could be a solid indication that it’s time to reach out for help.

How can I encourage someone to get in touch with a youth mental health organisation?

It can be hard to start conversations about mental health with young people, particularly when trying to encourage them to get help. Yet, this is the right and most encouraged course of action.

In less urgent cases, sitting down to talk is an efficient way to encourage someone to seek mental help. A lot of the time, they may not be aware of their own symptoms, so hearing it from someone else can be helpful. Here’s how you can do it.

• Start by describing, if possible, when and how that person’s behaviour has started to change. The more specific the examples you use, the better.
• Tie those examples to the mental health issue they’re associated with. As an example, tell them that their prolonged periods of sadness and isolation are an undeniable pattern of major depression.
• Do your best to avoid using judgemental tones and expressions. Coming across as accusatory will only make the person think you’re trying to attack them, instead of trying to help them.
• Assure them that you’re concerned about their mental health, and that the conversation you’re having is solely a matter of getting them to reach for help.
• Help them find youth mental health organisations they can trust. The options cited above can be great alternatives.
• Help them dial the organisation’s number or offer to accompany them to an appointment.

This doesn’t need to happen in a single conversation. Oftentimes, realising you need help can be a shock. If you have the opportunity, take this approach on a step-by-step basis.

What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?

One of the most helpful aspects of youth mental health programs is the educational basis they offer. These programs give participants the tools they need to spot early signs of mental health issues and bust the myths surrounding them. The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is one of them.

This evidence-based course is aimed at helping de-stigmatise the conversations around mental illnesses in teenagers and young adults. By enrolling, you’ll be equipped with strategies to encourage young people to proactively seek mental help. All through a supportive and safe approach.

Remember: The more you understand about a young person’s mental health issues, the easier it will be for you to help them.

Enrol in a Youth Mental Health First Aid course today

You don’t have to go through someone’s suffering in order to empathise, the same way you don’t need to be scared of seeking help for yourself. The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is delivered 100% online, and available for anyone in Australia. Enrol now to learn how to address a young person’s mental health with ease. Even if that person is you.

To see more about what we do here at The Mental Health Coach, click here.