headspace Knox is a centre offering young people aged 12-25 a welcoming environment in which they can seek confidential health advice, support, and information.

headspace Knox offers a team of friendly health experts who can discuss and help with concerns or problems: school-related stress, bullying, sexual health and contraception, relationship and friendships, alcohol and other drug consumption, general health, depression, anxiety, or if you're just not 'feeling right'.

Our Services include:

• General health services (GP Doctors & Youth Health Nurses).
• Counseling Services
• Alcohol and other drug services
• Mental health services
• Vocational, Education & Training Services

Our Staff Include:

• Social Workers
• Credentialed Mental Health Nurses
• Doctors
• Youth Health Nurse
• Psychologists
• Youth Workers

For more general information about headspace Knox, please download our Information Brochure.

At headspace Knox we provide a range of free programs, services and support for young people aged 12 - 25 for things that might be affecting your physical and sexual health.

At headspace Knox we have youth-friendly doctors and a youth health nurse who can assist you with issues related to:

• any physical health issues

• contraception and sexual health including sexual health screenings

• drug or alcohol use

Our Doctors are:

• Dr Varun Kommidi
• Dr Bronwen Trivett
• Libby Rochstein

Our Nurse’s name is:

• Bec Wallis      

Our GP clinic times are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Please contact headspace Knox on 9801 6088 to book your appointment as session times may vary. Interpreters are available for GP and nurse appointments.

For afterhours GP service please contact 13SICK (137425). If in an emergency, please contact 000.

At headspace Knox we also have acupuncture available for young people aged 12-25. Acupuncture is an alternative treatment offered at headspace Knox. Dr Libby Rochstein is our acupuncturist and is trained by the Australian Medical Acupuncture College.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles or alternatively, a laser into particular places on the body. It is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been strongly backed by Western Medicine since the 1970’s. 

There is evidence that shows acupuncture helps in a number of conditions such as pain, mood and sleep. Dr Libby is able to discuss what options may be suitable for you.

Dr Libby operated on Thursday from 9.30 to 1pm please contact headspace Knox on 9801 6088 to book your appointment.

For more information regarding GP and nurse clinic please find our brochure here.

For more information regarding the acupuncture clinic please find our brochure here.

At headspace Knox, we believe there is nothing more powerful than a group of young people who come together to help and support each other.

We encourage all young people to join the groups and workshops on offer at headspace Knox. We have a range of programs that include our regular social groups as well as scheduled therapeutic groups that occur throughout the year. See below for some of the great programs we currently have on offer and what’s coming up!

Paws for Thought 

Paws 4 Thought is back on Thursdays! Animal Assisted Therapy is a great tool for engaging young people and it also makes them feel calm and happy. So on Thursdays young people can come socialize with each other and chat informally about what they may be on their minds with some supporting headspace humans. See flyer for more information. 

Contact:
Email Jasmine Scampton or call 9801 6088 to reserve your place. 

4Me, Emerge and Free 2 Be Me

LGBTIQAI+ Programs 

4Me and Emerge  are back in Term 2, and we are adding Free 2 Be Me!

4Me is a structured 12 week program (fortnightly = 24 weeks) group for LGBTIQ+ young people aged 14 -18.

Emerge is a monthly support group for LGBTIQ+ 18- 25 year olds.

Free 2 Be Me provides a fun and safe space for young people aged 11-13 who identify as LGBTIQ+ or are questioning. Free 2 Be Me runs fortnightly after school hours.

All programs are run in partnership by Knox City Council Youth Services and headspace Knox.

If you are  are LGBTIQ+ or questioning and need a safe space to explore identity, sexuality and gender contact Jasmine Scampton or Luis Castanon

Knox Rainbow Youth Action Group 

Knox City Council Youth Services and headspace Knox are providing LGBTIQ+ young people aged 15-25 with the opportunity to be heard and be active in the LGBTIQ+ space. By getting involved, you will have the opportunity to have your say and increase rainbow visibility in the City of Knox, develop new skills and meet and work with other young people who are passionate about LGBTIQ+ advocacy. 
As a member of the Knox Rainbow Youth Action Group, you will participate in monthly meetings and receive relevant training. Members can be involved in community education activities, such as speaking at public functions or at local schools, and fundraising for community support.

For information on how to apply, please contact Jasmine Scampton or Luis Castanon or click here

*This group is keen to hear the voices of rainbow young people who are indigenous, rainbow young people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, rainbow young people with a disability and rainbow young people who have been homeless.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is officially recognised by the Cochrane Review as the treatment of choice for characteristics associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD) including impulsivity, interpersonal problems, emotional dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidal behaviors.

All individuals who wish to participate in the program are required to attend an orientation session.

For more information including eligibility, program outline, and referral can be found here.

Tuning into Teens

Emotionally Intelligent Parenting

A FREE six session parenting program for parents of teens. The program will be running from Thursday 28th February until 4th of April 

Parenting can be a challenge at times so would you like to learn how to:

• communicate more effectively with your teen?
• understand your teen better?
• help your teen to manage those difficult emotions?
• help to prevent behavioural issues in your teen?
• teach your teen how to deal with conflict more effectively?

Tuning into Teens shows you how to help your teen to develop emotional intelligence. Research shows teens with higher emotional
intelligence:

• have more stable and satisfying relationships as adults,
• are able to deal with peer pressure better,
• are more able to cope positively when upset or angry,
• have fewer mental health issues and
• substance abuse difficulties.

Contact
For more info call 9801 6088 to reserve your place.

TAC L2P Program

**Applications for the L2P program are currently open!**

The TAC L2P Program assists disadvantaged Victorian learner drivers aged 16 to 21 with no access to a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the 120 hours driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence.

The TAC L2P Program is funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), managed by the Department of Transport (DoT), supported by the Victorian Government and coordinated by headspace Knox.

How does it work?

The TAC L2P Program matches learners from 16 to 21 years old with a fully-licensed volunteer driver and practice vehicle to help them gain driving experience.

Before being matched with a volunteer mentor, learners participating in the program have access to up to seven free driving lessons throughout the program with a professional instructor. This helps learners build their skills before getting on the road with a volunteer mentor and continue progressing through the four stages of the Graduated Licensing System.

The program focuses on helping young people become safe, confident drivers in an effort to reduce Victoria’s road toll. It also provides an opportunity for young people to interact with positive adult role models, gain confidence and move towards social independence.

Who is eligible for the TAC L2P program?

Learners need to meet the following criteria to join the TAC L2P program:

· be between 16 and 21 years old

· hold a current learner permit

· have no access to a vehicle or a supervising driver*

· live in the City of Knox

* Applications outside of the standard criteria will also be considered, please contact your L2P Coordinator for further information.

Application process for Learners

To be eligible for the TAC L2P program, learners (or their parent or guardian) need to complete a learner driver application form, click here to access.  

Send your completed form to L2P@each.com.au. Once received, an L2P program coordinator will contact you to schedule an interview time.

Becoming a L2P Mentor

The TAC L2P program doesn’t just benefit learner drivers. The program gives our volunteer mentors an opportunity to connect with their community, and directly help a young person.

We have a full training program for mentors to ensure you’re well prepared to mentor a learner driver and understand your role as a supervising driver. Learners participating in the program also have access to free driving lessons with a professional instructor to build their skills before getting on the road with a volunteer mentor.

Mentors need to meet the following criteria to join the TAC L2P program:

· be over 21 years old

· hold a current full Victorian driver licence

· can commit approximately 2 hours per week <program area to amend this accordingly>

To apply as a mentor, you will need to complete mentor expression of Interest Form accessed here.

Send your completed form to L2P@each.com.au

More information

For further information, please contact the L2P Coordinator at headspace Knox on 9801 6088 or via email L2P@each.com.au

The IPS program integrates employment and vocational services with clinical mental health and non-vocational support, and focuses on the individual needs of young people with mental illness who are seeking to enter, or remain in, education and/or employment. 

IPS workers can provide work support to young people for as long as needed.

What is it?
IPS stands for individual placement support. IPS supported employment is a specialised program that helps young people with mental health concerns work in regular jobs and in jobs that they are interested in and passionate about. It's all about finding you a job you love, and where you can work in a safe environment with an employer that respects you and where you're at in your recovery journey.

Who can attend?
Any young person 16-25 years looking for work or education opportunities.

Education and employment assistance - IPS will help you to get the job you want.

For more information please click here. 

At headspace Knox, collaboration is a core value that underpins every aspect of the work we do to enable young people to reach their full potential. We would like to complement the work you are currently undertaking and work in partnership to improve the well-being of all young people.

How can we work together to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people?

headspace Knox has a community engagement team that can support schools and community organisations in a number of ways, such as:

headspace presentation: A presentation delivered to young people and/or service providers that can be tailored to your needs. Popular topics include mental health, tips for a healthy headspace, and headspace service overview. 

Expo stall: If your school or community organisation is planning an event we can attend as a stallholder. 

Groups & Workshops: headspace Knox has the capacity to deliver a range of workshops in schools and community settings. Workshops currently include anger management, emotional regulation, resilience building, bullying, and the Drumbeat program.

headspace In-School Bully Prevention Program: We have teamed up with the Supré Foundation to develop the headspace Bullying Education and Prevention Resource Kit, which aims to educate young people on bullying prevention and how to be assertive against bullying behaviour. For more information and to submit an expression of interest click here

How to engage with headspace Knox?

Bookings: If your school or community organisation would like to engage with headspace Knox, please fill in the relevant form below, scan and send to info@headspaceknox.com.au. It is important to give us at least 6 weeks notice before your event so that we can organise staff. 

To book a headspace presentation, click here

To book headspace Knox as an expo stall, click here

headspace Knox and Lilydale are committed to providing a service that is relevant to the young people of Knox, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges regions.

We value the unique skills, knowledge, and experiences that young people can offer. headspace Knox ensures that young people have a meaningful contribution to guide us and ensure that we are on the right track to providing a service that is relevant to the young people that we serve.

headspace Knox is supporting a Youth Action Force which aims to provide young people with the opportunity to be involved and be heard on issues of youth wellbeing - such as mental health, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, and relationships. 

As a YAF member, you will participate in monthly meetings, undertake some training about headspace, mental health and mental illness and support local headspace activities. Members can be involved in community education activities such as speaking at public functions or at local schools and fundraising for community support. 

Additional opportunities allow YAF members to build their passion for mental health by becoming community advocates. YAF members help to raise awareness of youth mental health and encourage young people to seek help early by educating the broader community. 

headspace Knox is looking for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to join the Knox Youth Action Force. Applicants should display an interest in mental health, an ability to work as part of an established and passionate team, as well as motivation and commitment. 

Please complete an application here and send to jasmine.scampton@headspaceknox.com.au 

Any questions can be directed to Jasmine Scampton 

At headspace Knox we welcome and appreciate your feedback so that we can continually improve our service for young people.

Please let us know your thoughts about your experience at headsapce Knox. You can even give your feedback anonymously if you wish!

Here at headspace Knox, we like to make things easy for everyone so we have developed an online feedback portal, located here.