Resources for You

READY – 9556 1769

READY provides practical and emotional support (case management and counselling) regarding alcohol and other drugs use and their harms to youth and families. 

• Free for 10 – 25 year old who need assistance relating to AOD

Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service – Telephone Service - 1800 250 015

ADIS provides 24 hour 7 day a week telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs. ADIS counsellors are trained to work with people who are concerned about their own alcohol and drug use, as well as callers who are concerned about their family or friends. ADIS is a free service, which is available to all residents of NSW.

I Am Sober

I Am Sober is a companion app for #SoberLiving - a day counter that helps you reach #sobriety milestones on your way to recovery from alcohol or drug of choice.

1800 642 428

The Opioid Treatment Line (OTL) is a telephone helpline that provides opioid pharmacotherapy information, referrals, advice and a forum for pharmacotherapy concerns. Opioid pharmacotherapy is specifically treatment for opioid dependence (eg heroin, morphine and codeine).

• Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
• Free

Stimulant Treatment Program - 8382 1078 or 1800 101 188

Stimulant Services is an outpatient service that offers free counselling and support for people who use stimulants, such as methamphetamine (ice), cocaine and ecstasy.

People come to the clinic with a range of problems relating to drug use. No use is too little or too much to come and see them. The team of counsellors, Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses are experienced in working with people who use stimulants.

They treat each individual according to their personal needs and circumstances in a non-judgemental space. Their counsellors are skilled in a range of counselling and psychotherapy models including Narrative Therapy, Gestalt, Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

• Free for everyone

1800 642 428

The Opioid Treatment Line (OTL) is a telephone helpline that provides opioid pharmacotherapy information, referrals, advice and a forum for pharmacotherapy concerns. Opioid pharmacotherapy is specifically treatment for opioid dependence (eg heroin, morphine and codeine).

• Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
• Free

Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) - 1800 458 685

Whether you are thinking about experimenting with alcohol or other drugs, have a friend you are worried about or want help making changes to your drug or alcohol use, YoDAA can help. The team at YoDAA are all youth drug and alcohol workers who can answer your questions, talk you through how to use more safely or give you tips and advice to help you support a friend. They can also help you find the right drug and alcohol service in your area and help you make contact.

CDBS

132 011

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is an Australian Government program that provides access to up to $1000 in benefits over two consecutive calendar years, covering most basic general dental services (but not specialist services like orthodontics or services provided under general anaesthetic.) You do not need to register your child for the CDBS. Families and teenagers will be advised by the Department of Human Services if they are eligible.

• Free if over 17 and receive Family Tax Benefit Part A

The Family Co. – 9528 2933

The Family Co. believes that all children and families deserve a safe home, strong connections and opportunities to thrive. We believe in a world where people feel heard, protected and valued. Through all of life’s challenges, the good times and the hard seasons, we’re here to help create positive change.

Young person feedback

“I enjoy the programs The Family Co. has. I am actually in programs with them and Project Youth. It is nice meeting people and chatting with youth workers at both places.”

Australia’s Original Boys’ Town – 8508 3900

Dunlea Centre provides family and individual therapy, academic and life skills education, and residential care for both boys and girls. Family Preservation and Restoration is the focus of the Dunlea Centre’s program. Dunlea Centre is also an out of home care service and students live-in from Monday to Friday, thus allowing the children and their family some space to bring about necessary changes.

• See Eligibility here

Young person feedback

“My favourite part of Dunlea was being able to learn skills around cooking and nutrition. It’s helped me be a bit more independent.”

Creative Youth Initiative (CYI) – 1800 633 063

Creative Youth Initiative (CYI) is a holistic, strengths based service that offers young people aged 16-25 the opportunity to engage in TAFE accredited creative programs while receiving tailored social support. 

CYI offers two full time core programs, Artworks & Sounds of the Street (SOTS) as well as a support service (case management, goal setting, counselling, referral and exit planning) to provide the young person the best chance for them to learn creative skills and learn how to address their social, emotional, physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing needs. Young people learn how to create art, music and new lives.

Project Youth's very own alternative education school. Project Educate is an alternative education school where young people will be engaged through flexible learning, hands on practical skills, trauma-informed support, mentoring and transition into further education, employment and training.

For more information, contact admin@projectyouth.org.au

WAYS Secondary

WAYS Secondary is an Independent high school for young people who want an alternative to mainstream education. Currently offering years 9, 10, 11 and 12.

WAYS Secondary provides an innovative, safe, supportive and flexible learning environment that helps students thrive and achieve their educational goals. The school offers NESA accredited ROSA and HSC courses. Upon completion, their objective is to assist students to achieve their future goals into further education, training and employment. 

Glasses- 1300 84 74 66

The NSW Spectacles Program provides government funded glasses and vision aids to eligible recipients including seniors, children, people experiencing homelessness, those living in rural and remote areas, people with disability and Aboriginal and multicultural communities.

• Free if eligible

Victim Services – 1800 633 063

We provide counselling, financial support and a recognition payment to victims of a violent crime in NSW. From 1 January 2022, victims of modern slavery can also apply for victims support. 

• Make an application here

Justice Advocacy - 9265 6300 or 1300 665 908

The Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) supports young people and adults with cognitive impairment in contact with the NSW criminal justice system, including as victims, witnesses and suspects/defendants to exercise their rights and fully participate in the process.

• Free if eligible

Welfare Rights Centre - 9211 5300 or 1800 226 028 

The Welfare Rights Centre is a community legal centre specialising in social security law and family assistance law and its administration by Centrelink.

We provide free legal information, advice and representation to thousands of NSW residents every year who are adversely affected by Centrelink decisions. The Centre also provides education to improve knowledge and understanding about social security law in the community.

• Free for everyone

Twenty10

We work with people across Sydney and New South Wales who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, non-binary, intersex, questioning, queer, asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people and others of diverse genders and sexualities, their families and communities.

Wear It Purple

Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.

The Gender Agenda

A Gender Agenda aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region. Through education, advocacy, peer support and professional networks we connect people to each other and build off the wisdom of collective experiences.

Glisten - 0451 826 885

St George and Sutherland Queer Space & Glisten Youth Group for same-sex attracted, gender diverse and questioning youth 25 years old and under.

New Access - 9477 8700

Developed by Beyond Blue, NewAccess is a free and confidential mental health coaching program for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues, such as work, study, relationships, health or loneliness. 

If any of these feelings are getting in the way of you living your life, then NewAccess could be right for you. The program is currently helping Australians from just 12 years old.  Available in parts of NSW, QLD and VIC.

• Free if eligible

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)– 9540 7800

CAMHS is a specialist mental health service for consumers under 18 years old or consumers who are currently enrolled in secondary school. They offer short to medium term assistance to infants, children, adolescent and their family and carers who are experiencing emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. They use both individually tailored and family focused interventions to improve the wellbeing of the consumer.

• Free for under 18 years old and have had suicidal thoughts/attempts

Young person feedback

“CAHMS Hurstville helped me heaps. I had some issues that needed addressing and they listened and gave me some steps to sort the stuff out.”

Comprehensive Assessment Service for Psychosis and At Risk (CASPAR) – 02 9859 5200 

Comprehensive Assessment Service for Psychosis and At Risk (CASPAR) is a new service that provides in-reach into three local headspace centres (located at Bondi Junction, Hurstville and Miranda) to deliver early identification, care coordination, assertive outreach and targeted interventions to support the ‘missing middle’ youth population. Largely these are young people who have mental health and recovery needs greater than what can be met by headspace alone but do not require the level of care provided by state based public mental health services.

Young People’s Outreach Program (YPOP) - 1300 779 270

We run youth services focused on meeting the everyday needs of 17-25 year olds who are dealing with mental health issues – from finding accommodation, to becoming work-ready, maintaining healthy interests and relationships.

Young person feedback

"Everyone is really respectful and understanding and judgement is out of the question."

Head to Health - 1800 595 212

Head to Health has been designed to provide mental health support to those in NSW struggling during the extended lockdown. If you or someone you know is not feeling OK, 1800 595 212 can help direct you to appropriate support networks in our local area.

• Free for everyone

Headspace - 9575 1500

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. Headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health) alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.

• 12 – 25 year olds – ranging from low to high mental health needs
• 20 free sessions per year (normally only 10 but it has doubled due to covid)

Young person feedback

"I sometimes have this idea in my head that 'I'm not sick enough' but I was reassured that you don't have to be sick enough to access support."

New Street Services - 9794 0629

New Street Services provide therapeutic services for children and young people aged 10 to 17 years who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviours towards others, and their families and caregivers. New Street Services work with the young person to assist them to understand, acknowledge, take responsibility for and cease the harmful sexual behaviour.

• Free to 10 to 17 year olds who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviours

Psychological Support Services (PSS) - 1300 170 554

Psychological Support Services (PSS) provides free short term face to face, or via telehealth, psychological therapy for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns that live in the Central and Eastern Sydney region and are experiencing financial hardship and who may not be able to access support through Medicare subsidised psychological services.

• Free if eligible

Beyond Blue

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

Black Dog Institute

As the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. We do this through ‘translational’ research. Integrating our research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change.

Bite Back

The very first online positive psychology program designed to improve the overall wellbeing of young Australians between 13 and 16 years old.

e-couch

e-couch offers five programs: Depression, Anxiety & Worry, Social Anxiety, Divorce & Separation and Loss & Bereavement.

Each program includes a comprehensive information module, as well as self-help modules with interactive exercises and workbooks, which teach evidence-based strategies.

Moodgym

Moodgym is like an interactive self-help book, which helps you to learn and practise skills, which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Balance Yoga Sydney

Based in North Strathfield and currently operating online. No Medicare rebate. Staffed by psychologists and social workers

• Body-based therapy
• Yoga
• Sensory and play-based therapies
• For young people: “Trauma therapy and therapeutic body-based sessions using counselling, movement and meditation for individuals, dyads or families. Specialty group programs available.”

Direct Focus Solutions

Based in Kingsford, Parramatta, Norwest, Wollongong and Bathurst. Partnered with Medicare, NDIS and Victim Services.

-Neurofeedback treatment

-Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

-Exposure therapy

-Group programs:

• Kickstart – 15-week psychological program
• Cooking classes
• Day programs (can be accessed on weekends)
• Stability and coordination – martial arts based (for barriers to sensory development, executive functioning, self-regulation)

Institute for Health Living

Based in Bondi Junction. Medicare rebates/accepts MHCP

-Group programs:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Schema therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

South Sydney Psychology and Trauma-recovery Service

Based in Sutherland and accepting Mental Health Care Plans (MHCP) with Medicare rebates provided. Some providers are also registered for Victim Services.

South Sydney PTS offers a variety of mind/brain/body therapies, group therapies, and psychological therapies all with experienced practicioners. 

Delta Society

Delta Therapy Dogs partners with eligible organisations to implement and deliver its programs right across Australia, with their ultimate aim to help animals bring joy to people.  Their digital programs are also available to vulnerable people isolated at home. 

• Fortnightly 90 minute visits at a cost of $1030 per annum

PAWS Pet Therapy

PAWS people and pooches are all volunteers. Each week PAWS volunteers generously give up their time to spread the magic of pet-assisted therapy to people in a range of settings, with needs ranging from loneliness to cancer.

• 1.5 hour visists with therapy animals and trained volunteers
• $66 per visit or $660 for regular visits over 12 months
• Information and Application Form

Sydney Allied Health - Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a modality of therapy where an animal assists in the therapeutic process to help a client, (or group of clients), to reach a their therapy goals. These are called Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), which can be used to assist in the treatment of many mental health issues.

Central Coast Clinic - 1800 814 226 (admissions) or 02 4341 9522 (general)

The Central Coast Clinic is a 37 bed hospital that treats a range of mental health disorders with a holistic approach. Inpatient admissions are currently not available for Child and Adolescents under the age of 18 – but they offer outpatient programs for young people. 

Grow Mental Wellness Programs - 02 9606 0579

Structured rehabilitation service for people with coexisting drug, alcohol and mental health issues. Caters for up to 17 adults and is located on a rural farm setting in Hoxton Park, NSW. Personalised support by adopting a holistic and stepped care approach towards treatment. Individuals to beat an addiction and work through mental illness in the long term supported residential setting.

Triple Care Farm Residential Rehabilitation - 02 4885 1265

Residential rehabilitation and treatment program to help young people aged 16-24 to manage their withdrawal and recovery from alcohol and other drug use. 12-week holistic psychosocial rehabilitation program based on harm minimisation and health promotion

Followed up with 6 months’ community aftercare. Program includes: dialectical behaviour group therapy program modified for young people with substance dependence and an individual counselling program, education and training, creative arts, individual case management, weekend recreation and sport, living skills

The Odyssey House - 02 9820 9999 (residential rehab number) or 1800 397 739

The Odyssey House are open to anyone with AOD addiction. The program aims to empower individuals and give them the self-confidence to become contributing members of society by using the therapeutic community model of treatment. Residents live and work together as a small community of approximately 100 people at the main facility.

South Pacific Private - 02 9905 3667

South Pacific is a 54-bed hospital located in Curl Curl that supports people with mental health concerns or addictions. Patients can enjoy a beach-side haven to start their journey. View the South Pacific treatment approach here.

The Hills Clinic - 1300 122 144

Team of health professionals specialise in assessing and treating mental health disorders and the exacerbation of pre-existing disorders.

The Sydney Clinic - 02 9389 8888

The Sydney Clinic specialises in mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, drug and alcohol detoxification, gambling, as well as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their inpatient programs provide a range of psychological therapeutic groups and activities.

• Will require a referral from GP or Psychiatrist to be faxed (02 9389 5699) or emailed (tscreception@healthscope.com.au)

Tharawal Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Moving forward to provide a quality service that combines traditional values with commitment to enhance health and wellbeing for Aboriginal communities of the Sydney South Western region. The Tharwal Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal Medical Service provides a quality service that combines traditional values with commitment to enhance health and wellbeing for Aboriginal communities of the Sydney South Western region. 

2Connect - 9556 1769

At 2Connect Youth & Community, we offer a range of holistic complimentary services relating to alcohol and other drugs, finding employment, support individuals who are at risk or are homeless, help youth reconnect with their family or school and run successful community development projects to address local specific needs and issues.

3Bridges

3Bridges aims to give the community voice by:

-Walking alongside you during family transitions and helping when a new baby arrives, with before and after school care, and as parents age.

-Making Connections through their youth workers at schools, connecting through the Yarning Circles and supporting in their meeting centres.

-Enriching Lives through providing care to people living at home as they age and support for people with a disability.

The Reconnect Project

The Reconnect Project is a repair shop with impact. Our skilled technicians specialise in repairing mobile phones, tablets, laptops and electronic appliances. 

We aim to close the digital divide in Australia by providing refurbished devices to people in need, (re) connecting them with family, friends and essential services.