If a young person is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
October is Mental Health Month in Australia, and 10 October is World Mental Health Day. It's a good moment to talk about something many families find hard to raise: how young people are really going, and where they can get help if they're struggling. The good news is that a lot of support for young people is free, confidential and easier to reach than parents often expect.
Free support young people can reach directly
Young people don't need a parent's permission or a referral to use most of these services.
- Kids Helpline, 1800 55 1800. Free, confidential counselling for young people aged 5 to 25, by phone or webchat, 24 hours a day.
- headspace. Free or low-cost support for 12 to 25 year olds covering mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, and work and study. There are headspace centres across Melbourne, including in the west, and eheadspace offers online and phone support on 1800 650 890.
- Lifeline, 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 crisis support for anyone.
- 13YARN, 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- QLife, 1800 184 527. Peer support for LGBTIQ+ people and anyone wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender or relationships.
- Suicide Call Back Service, 1300 659 467. 24/7 support for anyone affected by suicide.
Seeing a GP
A GP is often the best first step for ongoing support. They can check physical causes, talk through what's happening, and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan. That plan gives access to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions with a psychologist or other mental health professional each calendar year. Young people aged 15 and over can usually have their own Medicare card and see a GP on their own if they want to.
Signs a young person might be struggling
Every young person is different, and some ups and downs are a normal part of growing up. It may be worth checking in if you notice changes that last more than a couple of weeks, such as:
- pulling away from friends, family or things they used to enjoy
- big changes in sleep, eating or energy
- seeming unusually irritable, flat, worried or tearful
- avoiding school or dropping off at work or study (our guide to school refusal may help)
- talking about feeling hopeless, being a burden, or not wanting to be here
If a young person talks about suicide or self-harm, take it seriously. Stay with them, stay calm, and get help straight away through 000, Lifeline or Kids Helpline.
How parents and carers can start the conversation
You don't need the perfect words. Pick a low-pressure moment, like a car trip or a walk, where you're side by side rather than face to face. Say what you've noticed without judgement ("You've seemed pretty tired lately, how are things?"), then listen more than you talk. Try not to jump straight to fixing it. Let them know help is available and that you'll back them to reach out, or offer to make the first call together. And look after yourself too. Supporting a young person through a hard time is draining, and parents can call Lifeline or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) for their own support.
Loneliness and connection
Feeling disconnected is one of the most common things young people talk about. Being part of something, like a sport, a group, a volunteer role or a program, can make a real difference to how young people feel. Our article on loneliness in young people looks at this in more depth.
How Nhanya Foundation supports young people
Nhanya Foundation runs programs for children and young people in Melbourne's west, including Youth Strength and Recovery Workshops and school holiday programs, and our Assertive Outreach and Stabilisation Program works with young people who have become disconnected from services. We're not a crisis service. If a young person needs urgent help, please use the numbers at the top of this page. But we can help young people and families find the right support and stay connected to it. All of our work follows the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
Worried about a young person and not sure where to start? Call Nhanya Foundation on 03 8595 9012 or make a referral. For urgent help, call 000 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.