Mental Health Support Beyond School by Hannah Littler (Patterson Rivers Secondary College’s Mental Health Practitioner)

How? Where? What?  

While there is lots of school-based wellbeing support and help with accessing referral pathways during your time at secondary school, we want to ensure our students know where they can access support for their mental health beyond the school walls. Knowing where to go and what to do when you’re experiencing a mental health struggle or a crisis can be really challenging to navigate as an adult in the adult world. Here’s some information that may help:

The first step is acknowledging that something isn’t quite right and some help from a professional would be good. There are lots of services and supports available that can be accessed in a range of different ways depending on what your feel comfortable doing.  

Speaking to someone about getting help can be hard but it’s really important to always be honest and share the whole picture of what is happening for you so they can make the best assessment of your situation and give you the best advice and support available for your experience.  

Seeing your doctor or GP can be a good place to start. A GP can create a mental health care plan that provides you with access to 10 subsidised psychology sessions in 12 months. Once these are used, book back in with your GP for further follow up. You can ask your GP for a list of psychologists they recommend.  

Headspace is available until you turn 25. They have online and face to face support available. They have doctors, psychologists and nurses available for mental health as well as physical health needs.  

If attending University or TAFE, they will have health services onsite to access support through. Visiting them in person or accessing the University or TAFE website will let you know the services available.  

Kids Helpline is available til age 25, its free online or over the phone counselling support 1800 55 1800.  

Reach Out provides practical digital self-help tools, forums and factual mental health information. https://au.reachout.com/  

Beyond Blue offers online resources for anxiety and depression. They also have a phone service 1300 224 636. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/  

Lifeline for crisis response and suicide prevention service. They have a 24/7 phone number 13 11 14.