Canberra

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.

At headspace Canberra we provide support for young people experiencing mental health concerns, and substance use issues, along with assistance in promoting wellbeing.

Feeling down, tense, angry or anxious are all normal emotions, but when these feelings persist for long periods of time they may be part of a mental health problem. Mental health problems can influence how you think and your ability to function in your everyday activities, whether at school, at work, in social situations or in relationships.

If you are experiencing a mental health problem, one of the best things you can do is talk to someone. It can be helpful to talk with a professional, someone outside of your friends and family, for support.

 At headspace Canberra we provide:

• Mental Health Counselling and support
• Wellbeing Coaching
• Sexual Health Testing
• Drug and Alcohol Counselling
• Education Sessions and Parenting Programs

To access headspace Canberra call us on (02) 5109 9700, we will ask for your details or you can email your name, date of birth, address and phone number to hs.canberra@marathonhealth.com.au and one of our team will get in touch with you.

If you are a young person you can self refer or If you are family or friend referring on behalf of someone else, the young person needs to be aware of the referral and be willing to engage with headspace support. All you need to do is give us a call, walk in or send us an email and we will give you or your family/friend a call.

Please be aware the phones and email account is only checked during business hours. If you need urgent help call the Crisis, Assessment and Treatment Team on 1800 629 354 or Lifeline 13 1114.

If you are referring from a another service, please complete referral form and forward to us via email hs.canberra@marathonhealth.com.au, fax 5109 9799, or post Unit 1-3, 1 Torrens Street, Braddon, ACT, 2612. 

Referrals should include as much information as possible and be undertaken with the consent of the young person.

General Practitioners are requested to include a Mental Health Treatment Plan for the young person.

 After making a referral, you will be offered a phone intake appointment or yourspace booking.

What’s a phone intake?

Most young people coming to headspace Canberra start with a phone intake. A phone intake is a chat with a youth worker on the phone for about 30 minutes, with the young person and often with their parent or carer. The purpose of the phone intake is to tell you about headspace, find out about what is going on for you and discuss options for support.

What’s yourspace?

yourspace is an information and engagement session. We invite everyone to come in and see our centre, meet the team, learn about headspace and find out some of the ways we can support you. Youth workers are available on the night to briefly chat with you about support options and arrange appointments.   

yourspace is held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:30pm - 5:30pm at headspace Canberra, 1 Torrens Street, Braddon, ACT, 2612

How to get to headspace Canberra?

headspace Canberra is located at 1 Torrens Street, Braddon, ACT, 2612.

If you’re coming by CAR:

Our centre is located within the Cooyong Centre and is on the corner of Torrens and Cooyong Street.

We are located next to the BP petrol station on Cooyong Street and across from the Canberra Centre outdoor parking area.

We do not have parking available on the premises, but there are a few paid parking options around including The Canberra Centre. There are short term parking on Cooyong Street and Torrens Street as well.

If you're coming by BUS:

Catch one of the Intertown 300 buses from any interchange. Make sure you catch one headed for Civic. The bus will take you to City Bus Interchange and from there you will need to walk down to Mort Street for 2 blocks.

Turn right onto Cooyong Street, when you get to the corner of Mort and Cooyong Street.

Turn left onto Torrens Street after approx. 200m and we will be on your left.

It is approximately a 5-10 minute walk from the City Bus Interchange. You can enter the centre via Cooyong Street and Torrens Street.

If you are having any hassles, please call reception on (02) 5109 9700. 

During the intake process our youth workers will get to know a bit about what is going on for you and will be able to recommended support options.

At headspace Canberra we provide:

• Mental Health Counselling
• Wellbeing Coaching
• Sexual Health Testing
• Drug and Alcohol Counselling

We can also recommended other services to you. We always want to make sure that young people are accessing a safe and appropriate level of support, this means that sometimes we will recommend that you access support outside of headspace, this may be as well as or instead of coming to headspace. You will be supported through the referral process.

Do I need a referral from a doctor to come to headspace Canberra?

No, you don’t require a referral to access headspace Canberra.

However, if your best support option is accessing mental health counselling, most young people access this support with a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from their GP/Doctor.

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)?

A MHTP is a referral from your GP/Doctor. This provides you with both GP support and access to up to 10 Medicare rebated sessions with a mental health clinician in a calendar year. If you have a Medicare card, Medicare will cover some or all of the cost of care planning by a GP/doctor. Your GP/doctor should tell you what costs (if any) are involved when you agree to make a Mental Health Care Plan. If you need further information about Medicare, or how to get a Medicare card, you can visit https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/how-enrol-or-re-enrol-medicare or a nearby Medicare branch.

How much does it cost to come to headspace Canberra?

Services at headspace are provided free of charge or at a low cost.

• Talking with a Youth Worker– free
• Wellbeing Coaching – free
• Sexual Health Testing – free
• Mental Health Counselling – free or low cost

If you are planning to access mental health counselling we often recommend that you obtain a MHTP referral from your GP. We require a copy of your MHTP before we can book an appointment with a clinician. With a MHTP you can claim a rebate from Medicare. We charge $100-$150 per clinician session. After payment of full fee the gap, or out of pocket expense, between full fee and Medicare rebate is approx. $26 per session. If you are unable to pay for any reasons, don't worry, please ask to speak to one of our youth workers about this.

If you have a MHTP and a Centrelink Pension Card or Health Care Card, or have any other financial concerns we can bulk bill you, with no gap or out of pocket expense.

You can access mental health counselling without a MTHP referral, this is a full fee service without a rebate from Medicare. If you cannot access a MHTP, and don't have the financial capacity to pay for the full fee service without a rebate, we can talk to you about a number of other options that may be suitable such as utilising Healthy headspace Skills Workshops, on-staff clinicians, intern clinicians, in-kind partners, and onespace clinicians.

If you are worried about fees please talk to us.

Do I need a referral from a doctor to come to headspace Canberra?

No, you don’t require a referral to access headspace Canberra.

However, if your best support option is accessing mental health counselling, most young people access this support with a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from their GP/Doctor.

How long are your wait times?

We experience ongoing high demand for our services at headspace Canberra. This means that there is usually a wait to access our services, but varies depending on the service you are wishing to access. For up to date information on our current wait times, please speak with our staff.

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)?

A MHTP is a referral from your GP/Doctor. This provides you with both GP support and access to up to 10 Medicare rebated sessions with a mental health clinician in a calendar year.

How to get a Medicare Card?

If you need to find out more about getting a Medicare Card, please see https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/medicare-card 

How much does it cost to come to headspace Canberra?

 Services at headspace are provided free of charge or at a low cost.

• Talking with a Youth Worker– free
• Wellbeing Coaching – free
• Sexual Health Testing – free
• Mental Health Counselling – free or low cost

If you are planning to access mental health counselling we often recommend that you obtain a MHTP referral from your GP. We require a copy of your MHTP before we can book an appointment with a clinician. With a MHTP you can claim a rebate from Medicare. We charge $100-$150 per clinician session. After payment of full fee the gap, or out of pocket expense, between full fee and Medicare rebate is approx. $26 per session. If you are unable to pay for any reasons, don't worry, please ask to speak to one of our youth workers about this.

If you have a MHTP and a Centrelink Pension Card or Health Care Card, or have any other financial concerns we can bulk bill you, with no gap or out of pocket expense.

You can access mental health counselling without a MTHP referral, this is a full fee service without a rebate from Medicare. If you cannot access a MHTP, and don't have the financial capacity to pay for the full fee service without a rebate, we can talk to you about a number of other options that may be suitable such as utilising Healthy headspace Skills Workshops, on-staff clinicians, intern clinicians, in-kind partners, and onespace clinicians.

If you are worried about fees please talk to us.

I’m not sure about what kind of support I am after?

That’s totally fine. If you aren’t sure about what kind of support you are after then book a phone intake to speak with one of our youth work team about what is going on for you and we can talk with you about support options.

What will happen when I come to headspace Canberra?

On your first visit, you will be welcomed to headspace Canberra by our friendly reception staff and they will ask you to complete some paperwork and HAPI (see What’s HAPI? below). You will then meet your clinician for approx. 45-60mins. You can bring along a parent, carer, partner or friend to attend part or all of your appointment with you. Whatever you feel more comfortable with.

Your first appointment will mostly be about meeting with your clinician and discussing the things that have been going on for you, and what you would like to get out of coming to headspace.

After your appointment you are welcome to book another appointment with your clinician.

What if I don’t feel comfortable talking with my clinician?

If the clinician you met with wasn’t a good fit for you, it’s okay to change to see someone else. Some people find it easier to talk to someone who is the same or different gender, someone younger or older or just has a different style. To book you with a different clinician one of the youth worker team will chat with you about your preferences.

What’s HAPI?

We are collect information from young people about why they have come to headspace and what services they receive, we call this HAPI. We will ask you to answer some questions. HAPI helps us understand what is happening for you, what young people need and assist us to get resources for our service. You may receive a link to your phone or email address or you can complete on our iPads. We will ask you to do a HAPI when you come for each of your appointments.

What if I can’t make my appointment?

We understand that things happen, you get sick or something unexpected comes up. That’s ok. Wherever possible we ask that you let us know if you are not able to keep your appointment. It lets us know that you are ok and means you can sort out another time. With enough notice, we are able to offer the appointment time to another young person, who might be needing an earlier appointment.

How often do I come to headspace Canberra?

This will depend on what’s going on for you and the treatment plan you have developed with your clinician. As a bit of a guide, many young people find it helpful to come to appointments every 2-4 weeks.

Will you tell anyone about what is happening for me?

Your contact with headspace is confidential within the headspace team. We will share information with your GP about your progress and attendance. We don’t share information without your permission unless there are concerns about your safety or someone else’s safety or legal obligations.

Things we don’t do.

headspace is an early intervention youth mental health service for 12 – 25 year olds. We are unable to offer crisis support. If you are ever experiencing suicidal thoughts or a significant mental health crisis please contact the relevant Mental Health Crisis Team or attend your nearest hospital emergency department.

ACT Mental Health Crisis Team         1800 629 354 or 6205 1065

NSW Mental Health Crisis Team        1800 011 511

Suicide Call Back Service                    1300 659 467

Lifeline                                                  13 11 14

Kids Helpline                                       1800 55 1800

Emergency Services                            000

headspace Canberra does not have a GP or Psychiatrist available. We are unable to provide advice about medication. We don’t conduct psychological assessment or diagnosis for things like ADHD, Learning Disorders, or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If you are coming to headspace Canberra for an appointment please allow 15 to 30 minutes for travel time (particularly important during peak hours). 

The most convenient place to park is in the Dendy Canberra Centre carpark and then walking across to our centre.  Please allow 5 to 10 minutes for this walk.

If paying for parking is a potential barrier to attending your appointment, we have a ‘Pay it Forward’ parking fund where you’re able to take however much you need to pay for parking.

If you have any other questions about parking, please call us on 5109 9700.  

Centre Manager  Zora Todoroska

Clinical Team Leader  Tim McLauchlan

Mental Health Clinician Ben Kwan

Practice Manager  Rosemary Flintoft

Administration  Rosemary Flintoft, Margaret McTaggart, Lumiel Ricardi, Beth Davis, Jennifer Towie, Yasna Goodwin

Administration Referral Coordinators Fox Fromholtz, Elizabeth Royal

Youth Care and Community Coordinators  Tracy Boomer, Sophie Chang

Youth Care Coordinators Arianne Wright, Helen Armstrong, Erin Brown

Psychologists  Ian Donald, Conal Monoghan, Louise Huggett, Kathryn Bell, Annemarie Nicol, Xuelian (X) Chen, Jennifer Lewis

Social Worker  Brooke Rowlands, Lauren Errington, Judith Peterson

Interns  Jesse Ruse, Maddison Farrawell 

Drug and Alcohol Worker  Michelle Figares (Directions Health), Sarah Walker (ACT Health, Youth Drug and Alcohol Program)

Next Step High Intensity Rebecca Fitzpatrick (CatholicCare)

Next Step Low Intensity Lisa Seidel, Amelaine Uidam (Woden Community Services)

CAMHS Liaison Caitlin Rees (CAMHS Northside)

Sexual Health Nurse  Debbie Morgan

headspace Canberra is committed to youth participation. There are various ways in which young people can get involved in headspace Canberra:

headspace Canberra Youth Reference Group (YRG) 

The YRG is a diverse team of young people aged between 16 and 25 years old, that attend and coordinate events in addition to providing consultation and guidance to the staff of headspace Canberra in order to maintain the centre's youth focus.

Currently there are no vacancies for the YRG, however if you are interested in future recruitment, please express your interest via info@headspaceCanberra.org.au and we will keep you posted.

Youth Ambassadors (YA) 

Youth Ambassadors is a new initiative for Canberra headspace and includes members aged between 18 and 28 years old, who are enrolled at university, CIT or involved with sports clubs.  Their role is to present at schools, sports clubs and other community agencies about headspace and introduce mental health concepts.

Currently we recruiting for the Youth Ambassadors Program so if you are interested in recruitment, please express your interest via info@headspaceCanberra.org.au and we will keep you posted.

The aims of both of our volunteer groups are to:

• Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health
• Encourage early help seeking
• Improve mental health literacy
• Improve the knowledge of where to access youth specific information and resources of services headspace offer to young people, family and friends, carers, professionals and academics working in the youth and health sector
• Promote early recognition of mental health issues among teachers, family and friends and support staff
• Create partnerships with local organisations and members of the community
• Create conversation locally
• Strengthen the headspace brand

headspace Canberra actively participates in the community to promote positive mental health.

If you would like us to come along to your event, workshop or donate headspace resources to your organisation, please contact us info@headspaceCanberra.org.au Please allow for a minimum of two weeks to process your request.

Our Youth Reference Group reviews all incoming community engagement and resource requests.

Mental Health Workshops

headspace Canberra offers workshops to schools, sports clubs and community organisations through our Youth Ambassadors volunteer program.

Our Youth Ambassadors are a diverse team of young people who are enrolled at university and/or participate in a sports club. Their primary role is to present workshops about headspace and other mental health topics.

Our workshops utilise the latest interactive audience clicker system, information slides, videos and group activities.

Schools/Sports Clubs/Community Groups can request workshops via headspace Canberra, please complete this form https://form.jotform.co/70848624880870 Please allow for a minimum of two weeks to process your request.

Donations to headspace Canberra

If you would like to donate to headspace Canberra please contact us on (02) 5109 9700 or info@headspaceCanberra.org.au and you can get more information how to support your local headspace centre. If you are setting up an event to donate to headspace Canberra, we may be able to provide some resources for this.

At headspace Canberra we are constantly looking for ways in which we can improve our services. If you have you any compliments, complaints and/or suggestions about our services, then our team would like to hear from you. To access the online feedback form please click here.