If you’re worried about your mental health and not sure where to begin, the Headstart website is an easy-to-use way to find the help that’s right for you.
Headstart’s comprehensive database of local services connects users with service providers or information specific to your mental health needs, location, cultural background or gender identity.
Headstart marks its one-year anniversary
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) launched Headstart one year ago, in January 2022. In the past 12 months, more than 17,000 people have visited the website to find trusted, free or low cost, mental health services.
Feedback from visitors to the website includes:
“I like how Headstart is region-focused and user friendly.”
“This website is an amazing start on building a collaborative resource on mental health services. It is sorely needed.”
Headstart South Western Sydney gives information relevant to the local government areas of Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee. It filters services based on a person’s demographics and mental health needs.
Find support to manage conditions like:
- anxiety and/or depression
- eating disorders
- personality disorders
Find support for challenging situations like:
- grief and loss
- domestic and family violence
- gambling concerns
Headstart brings information about local services into one, easy-to-search platform and includes contact details and referral pathways for those services.
SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said one of the biggest obstacles to accessing support for mental health concerns was not knowing where to get help.
“Who do you ask? What sort of treatment do you need? Are there local services available? How do you access those services? It can be overwhelming taking that first step towards finding help,” Dr McDonald said.
“Headstart simplifies the process of finding the right help for you. By answering a few questions, Headstart will help you navigate to the local, phone and digital mental health service, which will best meet your need.”
Headstart continues to evolve
Work is underway on creating:
- a page for people with an intellectual disability
- new pages and resources for social prescribing, including a page for ‘loneliness’ and ‘community connections’
- new support pages, including counselling and therapy, support groups, self-help, and education and training
Find out more about SWSPHN’s initiatives for mental health support