Welcome to headspace Horsham! We are a youth service in the Wimmera that supports young people between the ages of 12 to 25 years of age with their mental health and wellbeing. This includes support with things such as mental health and wellbeing, physical and sexual health, AOD, work and study, situational stress and normal challenges young people face in their day to day life.

Our team is made up of a diverse group of people all dedicated to helping young people get great outcomes and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

headspace Horsham has professionally trained staff that are focused on helping young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years to address their mental health and wellbeing, confidentially and with respect.

All of our services are FREE for young people between the ages of 12 and 25!

How to make a referral

1. We offer a number of ways to access our service: 

• Complete an electronic Referral Form and a Client Consent Form and save it to your device. Both of these forms are online, to make it easier for you to email it to info.headspacehorsham@vt.uniting.org
• You can drop into our Horsham office and one of our workers will sit down with you and talk through whats going on. If they cant see you right away, we will make an appointment for you - 77 Hamilton St, Horsham VIC 3400
  
• Call us on (03) 5381 1543 and one of the headspace Horsham team members will speak with you about whats happening and how our team can help

At headspace Horsham we operate under an open referral system. This means ANYONE can refer a young person into service for support.

This includes community organisations, school wellbeing staff/teachers, GPs, family and friends of young people, etc. Our referral form is generalised and can be used by anyone to seek support for young people.

You will be asked to fill out a Consent Form prior to your first appointment here at headspace. Confidentiality is important in building relationships with you and will be discussed early on in your session with our team. This means that whatever you discuss in sessions remains private and not be passed on to anyone else without your permission. However we need your consent to be able to store your referral information on our system so we can move ahead with best helping you.

If you are wanting support, all you have to do is fill in our electronic Referral Form and Consent Form save it to your device and email it to info.headspacehorsham@vt.uniting.org

Note: It is important to remember that headspace Horsham services are attended voluntarily by young people. It is recommended that referrers have a chat to their young person before making a referral on their behalf.

2. The next step 

One of our team will contact you within 2 business days to discuss your referral. Please call us or drop into our office if you feel it's urgent.

3. When will I first meet someone?

You will meet with one of our Mental Health Clinicians at what we call Intake & Assessment. This might go between an hour to an hour and a half. They will give you information, ask you questions and answer any questions you might have.

Your worker will work on specific goals, which include, but are not limited to:

• Problem solving
• Supportive counselling
• Study, vocational or employment assistance
• Alcohol and other drug assistance with a Youth, Alcohol & Other Drug Counsellor
• Sexual Assault and Family Violence Counsellor
• Participation in headspace Horsham groups
• Referral to another agency best suited to your needs

4. What's next

After your Intake & Assessment appointment our Mental Health Clinicians will assess the best way to support you whether that is here at headspace or if there is a better service that is more tailored to your needs.

If you have any question or are unsure about anything please contact us on phone (03) 5381 1543 or email info.headspacehorsham@vt.uniting.org 

What does confidentiality mean for you at headspace?

In Australia, laws protect clients' rights to have the information they share with doctors and others who provide health services kept private. These laws mean that what you tell people during a health care appointment must remain private between you and that person or service, except in particular situations.

There may be times when the person you are seeing at headspace is required by law to share information about you with another organisation, your parents or carers, or in some specific situations, court or the police. This may happen if the staff member thinks you or another person is at risk physically or mentally. If you are under 16 and someone is hurting you, we are required by law to make a report to the Police or Child Protection Services.

Whenever possible, a headspace staff member will talk to you first to explain the reason and need for any disclosure of your personal information. However, confidentiality is your right in almost all circumstances. If you aren't sure, just ask the staff member about your confidentiality before you talk to them. We will always do our best to give you a straight answer.

More information:

Learn about Family and Friends rights and responsibilities

Learn about Young People's Rights and Responsibilities

headspace Horsham supports young people of all abilities and needs to access services. 
Our headspace Horsham centre has:

Disability access, gender neutral toilets, large waiting areas and doorways for wheelchair accessibility, sensory objects, translating and interpreter services and hearing impairment support services

Translating and Interpreting Services

headspace Horsham can organise translation and interpretation services if required.
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service for young people who do not speak English or English is their second language.
More information can be found here: https://www.tisnational.gov.au/en

Language Loop also connect non-English speakers and organisations through language, to live life without limits via services they can trust.
Services include translation, interpreting and telephone interpreting. More information can be found here www.languageloop.com.au

Hearing impaired

National Relay Service
The NRS is an Australia-wide phone service for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.
24-hour relay call numbers
• TTY/voice calls: 133 677
• Speak & Listen: 1300 555 727
• SMS relay: 0423 677 767
• Website: https://relayservice.gov.au/about/

frequently asked questions

how much does it cost to get help?

headspace Horsham offers FREE mental health counselling services to all young people aged between 12-24, who live in Horsham Rural City, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians and West Wimmera.

do I need a mental health care plan from my doctor to access headspace? 

No. headspace Horsham does not require young people to get a mental health care plan to access services. 

does headspace offer telehealth services? 

Yes. headspace Horsham telehealth service utilises video conferencing to connect young people in rural and remote areas to services. 

If young people prefer to have their telehealth appointments at school, headspace Horsham can work with the wellbeing staff and teachers to provide a quiet and confidential space. 

what other online services does headspace have? 

eheadspace is a free online service for young people and families looking for initial support. You can create a headspace account, which give you access to speak with a mental health professional about anything that is going on for you.

eheadspace operates between 9am - 1am and offers free web chat services through the website (linked above), or you can call 1800 650 890, to access phone services. 

is headspace an LGBTIQA+ and culturally inclusive service?

All young people are welcome at headspace Horsham, regardless of ethnicity, faith, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. Our staff are equipped to provide services that are welcoming, safe, culturally sensitive and inclusive. 

what do I do if I am having an emergency? 

A mental health emergency can include thoughts of suicide, thoughts of self-harm, or recent self-harm that requires medical attention. If you are in a mental health emergency, call 000 immediately, or go to your nearest emergency department:

is headspace a confidential service?

headspace Horsham provides a confidential service to all young people. Information that is shared with your clinician remains between you and them. There are, however, a few of exceptions to this. 

If a staff member becomes concerned for your immediate safety as a result of information shared, we are mandated, by law, to ensure that your safety is maintained. This can mean reporting information to agencies who can keep you safe (Department of Families Fairness and Housing, Victoria Police, etc.). 

If you would like your clinician to speak to other people you are working with (school, medical professionals, etc.), you can provide consent for them to do so. Young people 15 years and older can provide their own consent. You can read the consent form here. 

what if I'm not connecting with my clinician?

at headspace Horsham, our main priority is that you are receiving support from someone who you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel like you're connecting with your allocated clinician, you can speak to them or our friendly reception staff about this. We will do our best to support you with this and find a solution that you feel confident and happy with.

what is a hAPI survey?

Before each appointment, you will receive text message to complete a hAPI survey. Each survey you fill out is sent to your clinician so that they have an idea of how you are travelling. If you are not able to complete the survey before your appointment, you can complete it in the centre when you arrive.  

what if I can't come to my appointment?

If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please call us on (03) 5381 1543 and let us know. We can support you to reschedule your appointment to another suitable time. 

We are in very high demand for our services, so we ask for a minimum 24-hour cancellation notice, where possible.

will I be reminded of my appointments?

We do provide appointment reminders via text messages, one at the time of making your appointment and another 24hrs prior to your appointment.

can I bring a family member or friend with me to my appointment?

If you feel more comfortable having a support person with you during your appointment, you are more than welcome to do so. 

is headspace wheelchair accessible?

Yes, we are an all-abilities access facility, with wheelchair accessible restrooms.

how do I provide feedback?

We always love getting feedback from young people, as well as their families and friends. We appreciate constructive and positive feedback, to help better our service. 

We have feedback forms for compliments and complaints at our centre. This can be completed and put in our confidential box at reception. 

You can also complete the feedback form here and email it to info.headspacehorsham@vt.uniting.org.

eheadspace is a national online or phone mental health support service for young people aged 12 to 25, and for family who are seeking support about how to help a young person (aged 12-25) in their life. It's a confidential, free and safe space to talk about what's going on for you. 

eheadspace is available 9am-1am (Melbourne time), 7 days a week for 1-on-1 chats with trained clinicians. 

All you will need to do is create a headspace account which is quick, easy, and gives you the choice to access any of these extras supports:

• access our professional services like 1-on-1 chat
• build a personal mental health toolkit with resources that you like
• participate in our community by contributing to chats or sharing resources
• save your activity and keep a private record of whatever you need
• access work and study support

headspace work and study support is an innovative online program supporting young people aged 15-25 on their work and study journey. Young people connect with a Vocational Specialist for weekly or fortnightly phone, webchat or video
appointments over a 3 month period

If you’re unsure about what’s next, don’t know where to start when looking for a job or have questions surrounding what you might want to study, headspace Work and Study is here to help.

Work & Study Service can provide:

• Employment preparation assistance (resume  writing, job applications and job search skills)
• Mock interviews conducted via video link by  corporate partners, offering professional feedback and guidance
• Support for workplace trials and work experience opportunities
• Education/training assistance i.e. course research
• Study planning and time management
• Career planning and exploration i.e. self-assessment activities
•  Navigating the Employment Service landscape
• Support in understanding employment rights
• Opportunities for course funding
• Support in building work related confidence and self-efficacy

Link - headspace Work & Study Online Support

For more information please visit eheadspace 

Here at headspace we understand that activities you do can have a big impact on your head space.

When you spend time doing things you enjoy (or used to enjoy), it can give you relief from hard times, and build some fun in your life.

We have taken out the hard work of finding out what is going on each month in the community, so you can spend more time getting into life.

Check out our monthly newsletters to to find out everything happening within our centre and in the community at large for young people and their family and friends! 

January 2024

February 2024

March 2024

April 2024

May 2024

June 2024

July 2024 

August 2024

September 2024

October 2024

November 2024

December 2024

Existing clients of headspace Horsham may be recommended for referral to headspace National Telehealth Service.

National Telehealth Service enables young people to access diagnostic assessment and management advice (*note: this does not include assessment for ADHD or ASD) through a MBS bulk-billed Telehealth consultation with a psychiatrist using video conferencing.

Your headspace clinician will ask you to get a valid referral from your GP in order to book an appointment with one of the psychiatrist team.

All referrals and appointments are scheduled in consultation with headspace Horsham who are required to liaise with the young person receiving the service.  The young person comes into headspace Horsham for the video link with the psychiatrist, who may be located anywhere within Australia.

All telehealth consultations are bulk billed - meaning there are no out of pocket expenses.

a hapi survey helps us check in with how you are doing before your session so we can support you appropriately during your session.

When a young person has a scheduled appointment with headspace Horsham, they will be sent a text message with their hapi survey along with a reminder message for the appointment time. This will also be sent the day before your scheduled appointment.  

We ask that everyone that connects with headspace completes a survey before each session.

Follow the below link to fill out your survey.

https://hapi.headspace.org.au/login/young_person 

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telehealth at headspace

telehealth allows you to talk to a headspace worker through a phone or video call rather than seeing them in person.

 If you have identified that you require a telehealth appointment our admin team will send you an email with a Health Direct link for a virtual waiting room. You can access this link from a computer, laptop, iPad or tablet. Remember to use the Chrome browser. You don't need to create an account just follow the link and you will be greeted with your counsellor. 

headspace Horsham doesn't just provide support to young people in Horsham but right across the Wimmera. If you can't travel to Horsham or if you work or are at school during the day you can still access our services, just make sure you have a safe and private space to complete your session. 

If you are having a telehealth appointment at your school, with your consent we can contact a teacher or a wellbeing staff member support you with to getting you a private space and a computer for you to have your sessions on. 

Here at headspace Horsham whilst our services are available to YP, we are here to support the families and friends of YP and encourage family and friend inclusive practice within our centre.

We also do family and friends support or counselling if needed and we have great programs such as Tuning into Teens that we offer to parents and carers.

If you have any questions about how you can be involved in the care of your young person whilst at headspace, please feel free to speak to any of our staff when in centre or give us a call on (03) 5381 1543.

Alternatively, you can also check out the following resources that provide more information about how we involved family and friends at headspace Horsham:

• headspace Horsham Family and Friends Information booklet

headspace Horsham are committed to providing the best possible service, support and care to our young people, family, friends and carers.

Who can submit a compliment/complaint/service suggestion?

Anyone; young people, family, friends, carers, service professionals, schools, organisations, etc. Everyone’s feedback is valuable to us.

Complaints and suggestions help us to refine and improve our services, performances, policies, processes and systems. Similarly, compliments help us recognise when we are meeting or exceeding community standards for service, needs and performance.

Feedback can be compliments, complaints and suggestions:

• Compliments are praise or congratulations about our service delivery, services or performance

• Complaints are an expression of dissatisfaction about our service delivery, services, performance or how we conduct our business

• Service Suggestions are ideas on how we could improve or expand on our services or do our business differently. **services include programs/events that we provide or participate in

Compliments-Complaints-Service-Suggestions-Fillable-Form