headspace Newcastle is a great place to get help if you:

• Want to talk to someone about difficulties in your life
• Feel sad, depressed, anxious or worried
• Would like help with any kind of health issue (e.g. physical, mental, sexual)
• Want to talk about relationships, sexuality, sexual health, or gender identity 
• Are concerned about your use of alcohol and/or drugs
• Are worried about a friend or family member
• Are interested in advice or support about work or study
• Are wanting to connect with a job agency

headspace Newcastle is a voluntary service which offers early intervention, short term counselling (6-10 sessions).

If you feel you are in an emergency situation or need immediate assistance, contact :

• emergency services on 000,
• mental health line (24hr) 1800 011 511,
• lifeline 13 11 14
• or go to your local Emergency department.

You can make an appointment with headspace Newcastle in a few different ways!

• You can email us at intakeheadspacenewcastle@hunterprimarycare.com.au
• You can phone us on 4929 4201
• You can send us a fax on 4925 2864

To complete a referral form click here

If you're unsure whether headspace Newcastle is the right service for you, please give us a call and we can talk it through.

For GPs 

If you are a GP and referring to headspace Newcastle, a mental health treatment plan (MHTP) is required

headspace Newcastle has an amazing team of people who are skilled at helping you get back on track. 

We see many different young people come into headspace Newcastle so it's important that we have a wide range of staff here to suit every need.

Counsellors

It is important that a young person 'connects' with their counsellor. To help you find the right person to speak with headspace Newcastle has a diverse range of counsellors for young people to see. They range from psychologists to social workers to occupational therapists. We have both male and female counsellors for young people to speak with.

Doctor

Dr Tyler (male) is at headspace Newcastle 2 days a week - Tuesdays and Fridays. Dr Tyler has worked at headspace Alice Springs and headspace Parramatta before coming up to Newcastle and is here to answer any questions you have regarding your health.

Dr Jo (female) is at headspace on Wednesdays and is here to answer any of your questions regarding your health.

Sexual Health

headspace Newcastle has developed good links with The Family Planning Centre and both Dr Tyler (male) and Dr Jo (female) are available to answer any of your questions or concersn relating to sexual health. 

Drug and Alcohol

Our Drug and Aolcohol Counsellors provide support for young people who are having issues with drugs and alcohol.

Intake Workers

Our intake workers are amazing! These are the first people you'll meet when coming to headspace Newcastle. Sarah, Kim, Eliza and Bree  have a great set of ears and are ready to listen to your story. The intake workers then help choose which is the best headspace service for you.

Employment

APM

APM Employment Services are at headspace Newcastle on a Monday morning.   Centrelink Employment attend headspace every fortnight. Give us a call if you'd like to speak with a Centrelink rep. 

IPS Program

IPS stands for Individual Placement Support. IPS supported employment is a specialised program that helps young people with mental health concerns work in regular jobs and in jobs that they are interested in and passionate about. It’s all about finding you a job you love, and where you can work in a safe environment with an employer that respects you where you’re at in your recovery journey. Norm is ur IPS worker and is has amazing skills and knowledge about getting a job. 

Community Development Officer

Byron is our Community Development Officer. If you'd like headspace to come and present at your work or school or if you're hosting an event involving young people get in contact with Byron. bwilliams@hunterprimarycare.com.au

If you'd like to know more about the services and people here at headspace Newcastle please give us a call on 4929 4201 or email us on headspacenewcastle@hunterprimarycare.com.au

 A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a tool used by doctors, counselors/therapists, and clients to shape the focus of mental health therapy. A mental health care plan helps therapists and clients make positive change happen through purpose, focus, and direction.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan initially gives you six rebatable sessions per calendar year. That means six sessions from January 1 - December 31.

At headspace Newcastle, this means that your sessions are FREE

Once you hit the six sessions though, you can ask for more if you and your psychologist think you need them. Head back to your GP to discuss your mental health treatment plan.

They’ll assess you and be able to refer you for four more rebatable sessions in that year. You can have a maximum of ten rebatable sessions in a calendar year.

Who Needs A Mental Health Treatment Plan?

Mental health treatment plans are for everyone experiencing mental health challenges and difficulties with life as well as for people who have been diagnosed with mental illness. Most young people who attend headspace Newcastle require a Mental Health Treatment Plan to access clinical services.  

Visit your GP

If you don’t have a regular GP, are looking for a new one, want to find one out of hours or one that bulk bills (which means you don’t have to pay anything - just bring your Medicare card along), the Government's Health Direct website is super handy. headspace Newcastle also has a GP onsite to help with Mental Health treatment plans, call 49294201 for an appointment.

Once you’re at your appointment, tell your GP about what you’re going through, and ask about a mental health treatment plan.

If you haven’t received a diagnosis for a mental illness before, your GP will need to assess whether you have a diagnosable mental illness.

Sometimes a GP will want longer than their usual appointment time to do this.

There’s no need to be shy around your GP when you’re talking about mental health. It’s a topic they get asked about a lot: more than 1.2 million Australians used mental health treatment plans in the 2016 - 2017 financial year.

The GP will then decide if a mental health treatment plan and a referral to a psychologist is right for you.

If they think it’s the right decision, your GP will refer you to a psychologist for up to six Medicare rebatable sessions. A Medicare rebate is where Medicare will refund you part of the cost of your appointment with a doctor or specialist.

At headspace Newcastle, this means that your sessions are FREE

Generally, young people can get their own Medicare card by visiting a Medicare office or call Medicare on 13 20 11. This fact sheet and road map explain why young people may need their own Medicare card, and which option and pathway to take for getting their own Medicare card that will suit their needs under difference circumstances.

Click here to learn more

how to find us

We are located at 582 Hunter St Newcastle West 2302

There is parking around the back of the building (entry via Steel lane) limited street parking on Hunter St or parking at Markettown with a short walk.

Disability Access

If you require disability access at headspace Newcastle we've got a great set of new ramps that take a few seconds to put out.

headspace schools

headspace Schools is a national workforce that supports, engages and partners with education and health sectors across Australia, to build the mental health literacy and capacity of workforces. Driven by, and in alignment with systems and school improvement we are dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being outcomes of children, young people, families, and school communities.

Current Initiatives 

These initiatives are designed to support the mental health and well-being of school communities through evidence-based mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention and postvention services.

Be You

headspace is the delivery partner of Be You for primary and secondary schools across Australia. Be You is a national initiative for educators, aimed at promoting and protecting positive mental health in children and young people.

headspace in Schools

headspace in Schools (formerly known as headspace School Support) continues to support secondary schools to prepare for, respond to and recover together where there has been a death by suicide.

Schools Suicide Prevention Activities

Schools strive to be safe, supportive and inclusive communities. Recognizing the important role schools have in their communities in supporting the mental health needs of young people and their families, this initiative funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, delivers face-to-face training and education sessions to staff, students, parents and carers.

Confidentiality and our duty of care

When you talk to a headspace worker what you say is kept confidential. This means nothing you say can be passed on to anyone else without your permission, unless we are seriously worried about your safety or the safety of someone else. This is because we have a duty of care to try to keep everyone safe. In these cases we’ll provide only necessary information to appropriate support people and services that can protect you and/or others, such as a parent or nominated support person, a crisis service or the police. Where possible we will be open about this with you and let you know if our concerns reach the point where we need to involve other services. If you have any questions about confidentiality or our duty of care, download a copy of the headspace Privacy Policy at headspace.org.au/privacy-policy/ or speak to a headspace worker.

How do you collect my personal information?

To provide you with the best possible support, care and treatment, and continue to improve our service, we collect information about all of the  young people who access our services, the services they receive and the outcomes they achieve. Before you access our services, we will ask you to provide us with some personal information about yourself. We may also ask your permission to collect information about you from other health workers, such as your doctor.

Who is in the Youth Reference Group (YRG)?

headspace Newcastle’s Youth Reference Group (YRG), is a diverse group of volunteers that provide consultation and guidance to headspace Newcastle staff around the engagement of, and provision of support to, young people within the community.

What does the YRG do?

Working with headspace Newcastle’s Community Development Officer, the primary objective of the YRG member is to provide guidance that will facilitate improvements in the mental health, social wellbeing of young people aged 12-25 years within the community, this will be achieved by:

• Participation in regular meetings
• Undertaking training about headspace and mental health,
• Supporting the development and delivery of local headspace activities (events, mental health days festivals)
• The opportunity to be involved in community education activities, or as media spokespeople on the issue of youth mental health and well-being. Training for this will be provided.
• The opportunity to present at public functions or at local schools, mental health forums, conferences and the like.
• Providing advice and feedback around the strategic direction and development of headspace services.
• Representing the voice of youth in headspace meetings, team meetings, and consortium meetings
• Ensuring the headspace Newcastle centre is welcoming, safe, youth friendly and user friendly
• Actively contribute to headspace Newcastle’s social media platforms (reaching out to young people on social media, sharing content, supporting campaigns and events)
• Celebrating and supporting days of significance (NAIDOC, IDAHOBIT etc)
• Developing resources for events with a focus on sustainability and locally sourced products
• Developing and sourcing resources for clinicians and clinical spaces
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Community Development Officer and/or headspace Centre Manager

Opportunities

• YRG members will have the opportunity to attend mental health trainings, courses and conferences
• YRG members will have the opportunity to apply and attend professional development outside of mental health.
• YRG members will have the opportunity to network with other YRG groups, youth councils

and the headspace National network

• YRG members will have the opportunity to develop media and public speaking skills

Key Selection Criteria

• Be aged between 15 and 25 years at the age of application
• Be passionate about youth mental health and/or alcohol and other drug issues
• Be passionate about improving youth mental health services
• Be able to work in a team and participate in group discussions as well as work independently
• Be able to balance health (including mental health), other responsibilities like school/work/uni/family and the demands of the YRG position
• Have the motivation, willingness, and community to participate and respond to communications on an ongoing basis
• Have easy and regular access to the internet and phone
• Be open and willing to participate in the YRG closed Facebook group and face-to-face discussions

How to apply

Further information can be obtained by contacting Byron Williams, Community Development Officer headspace Newcastle.

email bwilliams@hunterprimarycare.com.au for more information

get appy with these online resources

WayAhead directory

www.directory.wayahead.org.au/

The WayAhead Directory is a comprehensive online database used to find local services, to make referrals and access mental health information and resources.

Tools and strategies

ReachOut reachout.com

An online youth mental health service filled with info, support and stories on everything from finding motivation to getting through really tough times. MoodGYM moodgym.anu.edu.au

Learn cognitive behaviour therapy skills (CBT) for preventing and coping with depression. e-couch ecouch.anu.edu.au A self help interactive program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety and worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss and grief.

Mental Health Online mentalhealthonline.org.au

 An internet based treatment clinic for people with mental health problems.

Relax and unwind

Smiling Mind smilingmind.com.au

Smiling Mind is a free, modern meditation program with exercises that can help you reduce stress and relax. Available: iPhone App Store, Google Play or the website

ReachOut Breathe

Breathe helps you to control your breath and measures your heart rate in real-time using the camera in your phone. Available: iPhone App Store

ReachOut WorryTime

WorryTime gives you a place to store your worries, and alerts you when it’s time to think about them. When a worry no longer matters to you, you can ditch it and move on. Available: iPhone App Store and Google Play

eheadspace - develop your self-help skills

There are interactive exercises that allow you to manage your own mental health. These bite-sized activities help you reflect on your own needs, build your everyday skills and set goals to improve your mental health. Discover tips such as improving your sleep, understanding emotions, getting active or problem-solve, just by doing one of these exercises.

eheadspace - join the community

Our safe and supportive online community provides a great way to connect with others, and share resources that are helpful to you. Our regular group chats bring young people together and explore topics that are important to the community. Our peer-led chats are held every week, where you can share tips and experiences with others. There are also chats run by our professional clinicians who explore topics and provide resources, strategies and advice to help build your skills.

eheadspace - chat privately with professionals

You can chat privately with our professional counsellors over the phone or webchat, seven days a week between 9am – 1am (AEST). It’s a safe space if you want some advice, unsure of what help you need or maybe just want to talk things through.

eheadspace - get support with your Work and Study

You can get support with your work and study goals by speaking with our vocational specialists via webchat, video chat, email or phone and it’s free. We can help you with everything from writing resumes and job applications through to planning course options, practicing interviews and managing your mental health with your work and study.

Visit

headspace.org.au/workandstudy

to register or call 1800 810 794.

Click here to check out the Youth Welcome Book.

It contains everyhting you need to know about attending headspace Newcastle

Click here to check out the Family and Friends Welcome Book

It contains all you need to know about supporting your young person at headspace