headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing mental health services to 12-25 year olds. Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people in communities across Australia access support.

Here in the Riverland headspace Berri works across the Riverland region to support young people with:

• mental health
• sexual health
• work & study goals
• Alcohol and other Drugs
• programs, groups and other activities that increase mental health knowledge 
• safe and supportive social opportunities

You can find out more about our current services, programs and other activities (including groups & events) in the other sections of this website and by following us on Facebook and Instagram. 

headspace also has a welcome pack for young people and the people supporting them. These welcome packs provide some further information about our services and what you can expect when you engage with headspace Berri:

• welcome to headspace for young people
• welcome to headspace for families and friends

The first step is to complete and return the headspace Berri referral form (download here or drop into our offices in Berri). You can also be referred by your Doctor with a Mental Health Treatment Plan. A parent, friend, teacher or other trusted person can also refer you with your permission. We are a voluntary service, which means no-one can make you visit headspace.

The headspace Now program allows young people to receive a timely service that provides a therapeutic focus on the young persons presenting mental health concerns. The young person determines session intervals, by making contact with headspace when a session is required. This will mean young people can freely dip in and out of our service when they require support.

Our Vocational Specialist, Kerryn Van Dyk offers one-on-one support for young people aged 14-25 to explore their work and study options. 

As a qualified Career Practitioner with over 8 years experience in this space, Kerryn is passionate about working with young people to assist them to feel in control and make informed decisions about their career journey. Kerryn has worked in local high schools for many years guiding and answering students’ questions in relation to work, study, school and beyond. Kerryn believes all young people should have access to holistic career advice and we are excited to offer this service from headspace Berri. 

Young people do not need a referral and can make an appointment with Kerryn by contacting headspace Berri on (08) 8582 4422 or headspace@focusonehealth.com.au

Kerryn can provide support with:

• resume advice
• interview skills
• career ideas
• study options
• support to navigate job providers & Centrelink

headspace Berri provides free  confidential, and youth-friendly services for young people aged 12-25 years. headspace Berri provides a range of specialised services to young people and their families who may be experiencing challenges with their mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs, or work & study.

You can access or refer to headspace Berri by phone, dropping in, or via an emailed or faxed referral form.

Mental Health Treatment Plans:

This is a care plan written together with your Doctor during an appointment at your medical clinic. Your Doctor then sends this plan to us. We accept these treatment plans and we ALWAYS encourage you to get checked out with a Doctor if you are experiencing physical or mental health symptoms. BUT these treatment plans are not required in the first instance to access headspace Berri. Often we help young people to access a low-cost Doctor if you don't have one, and we will help you apply for a Medicare Card, if you don't have one. 

Please note that if you access your Doctor for a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you should check with your clinic about costs/fees you will incur. You'll also need a Medicare Card.

You can find more details about referrals below in the 'more information section'.

To chat further about services we refer to that incur fees, please call us on (08) 8582 4422.

We appreciate your active involvement in finding a solution to suit your needs.

To be able to access some of headspace Berri's services, you need access to a Medicare card. It can be your own Medicare card or you can use your family's Medicare card if your name is listed on it.

When you turn 15 years of age, you can apply for your own Medicare card. To do this you have to do some paperwork and have some identification. You need to complete a "Medicare copy or transfer" application form and submit it at your local Medicare service centre. You’ll need to provide identification, such as a student card or birth certificate, as well as details about the card you are transferring from.

If you need more information or need help with accessing a Medicare card, have a look at the Services Australia website.

Download the Rights and Responsibilities Brochure here.

headspace Berri supports your right to:

• Refuse treatment or service
• Agree to or refuse the presence of trainee practitioners or students
• Choose to have another person present at your appointment
• Request a transfer to another headspace clinician
• Make complaints and have them investigated
• Have continued access to the services after making a complaint

Our team will ensure that:

You are fully informed about your health and health care options to help you make informed choices.

Your confidentiality and privacy are maintained.

You are given information about circumstances in which we are legally required to report; such as to protect the  health and safety of a young person at risk, or if personal information is subpoenaed by court.

Your prior approval would be obtained to:

• Provide a written report to another professional agency, eg a GP or lawyer; or
• Discuss the material with another person, eg a parent or employer; or
• If disclosure is otherwise required or authorized by law.

What is the hERO group?

The headspace Berri hERO group exists to ensure young people’s voices and opinions remain front and centre in everything we do here at headspace Berri.

hEROs are local young people aged 16-25 who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people. Some members of hERO may have experienced their own struggles and other members may have never experienced mental ill health, but all share a commitment to advocate for youth mental health in the Riverland.

As a member of hERO you will:

• be a volunteer member of an inclusive and optimistic team of other young people
• attend regular meetings and represent headspace Berri in the community
• have access to relevant training and mentoring in areas such as
  • public speaking
  • advocacy
  • mental health literacy
  • project & event planning/management
• have the opportunity to develop mini-projects, events and activities that support mental health in our community
• be asked to provide your unique feedback and insights on things like
  • social media campaigns
  • promotional material
  • what our space looks and feels like
  • headspace Berri services

hEROs make sure that any new initiative from headspace Berri will make a positive difference in the lives of local young people, and that the resources headspace Berri receive from government and corporate partners are put to the best use.

Join hERO group by contacting headspace Berri on (08) 8582 4422.