When you’re feeling overwhelmed, finding the right mental health support can seem like an impossible task. Headstart is an online mental health tool to help you find the right support. Here are four ways Headstart can help you find free or low-cost mental health support.
When you first visit the Headstart website select your suburb to receive results near you. Links on this page go to services for South Western Sydney; select Change Suburb if you live elsewhere.
Services listed on the Headstart website are:
- offered face-to-face (in-person or online) for people living or working in your region
- free or low-cost
- You can access yourself (self-referral) or referral from a general practitioner or allied health worker
- funded or accredited to National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS) or a similar.
1. Answer a few questions about yourself and your situation
Not sure where to begin? Answering up to 10 questions for results of local or digital mental health services based on your eligibility. Your answers are private.
Firstly, answer whether you are seeking help for yourself or someone else, then enter your:
- age
- gender identity
- sexual identity
- cultural background
- condition or challenging situation. e.g. anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, grief, trauma, alcohol and other drug concerns or suicidal thoughts.
Skip any question you don’t want to answer.
You will get a list of support services based on your answers. Results contain a brief description, including whether the service is free, and how to access the service.
You can adjust your answers, save resources or even start over.
‘Not sure where to begin’ questionnaire | Headstart
2. Find support for who you are
Find support to match who you identify as to find free or low-cost support for your region. Options are:
- Women
- Men
- Children
- Young people (12-17)
- Young adults (18-25)
- Older people
- New and expecting parents
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Multicultural communities
- LGBTQ+
- Gender diverse
- Carers
- Rural and remote people
- Veterans
Support for anyone | Headstart
3. Support for your condition
Find support for a specific condition to find free or low-cost support for your region. The options are:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Bipolar and related disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Schizophrenic and psychotic disorders
- personality disorders.
Support for a specific condition | Headstart
4. Support for challenging situations
Choose from this list of situations to find free or low-cost support for your region.
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Suicidal thoughts
- Grief and loss
- Trauma and stress
- Gambling concerns
- Domestic and family violence
- Homelessness
- Financial difficulties
- Self-harm
Support for challenging situations | Headstart
Speak to your General Practitioner (GP)
Your GP is often a good place to start for most mental health concerns. GPs can offer treatment or refer you to other services for mental health support.
Visit healthdirect to read more about how GPs can help you with mental health concerns
Talking to your doctor (GP) about mental health | Healthdirect
Headstart is commissioned by South Western Sydney PHN. Find out how South Western Sydney PHN supports community and health professionals by commissioning mental health support programs and initiatives.
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