Mental health help for young people

Council supports young people experiencing difficulties with mental health, school, family stress, friend issues or low self-esteem by providing confidential counselling support and youth work support to help them develop practical life skills and overcome life challenges.

Council’s youth counselling service is offered at no cost to the user and referring a young person is simple with no need for a mental health plan from a GP. Youth counsellors can meet young people at school or at our youth centre in Highett, and we can also support parents of young people using the service.

Dates from the 2017 Bayside Youth Resilience Survey show that while young people in Bayside have high levels of resilience compared to the national average, they still have the need for support in relation to anxiety and stress. 

Results from the survey, led by Resilient Youth, came from almost 6,500 primary and secondary school students. The survey provides a meaningful mechanism for Council to respond to community needs through consideration of the unique perspective of young people.

Positive mental health is a contributor to resilience and Council plays a role in supporting young people to contribute within their local community while developing skills to respond to life challenges.

A weekly support group for young people in Years 7-10 will come together at the Peterson Youth Centre starting in late February 2018.

The Worried Minds support group is facilitated by qualified youth counsellors and provides a safe & confidential space for young people to help each other and learn more about anxiety and helpful ways of managing it. 

The group will run weekly at the Peterson Youth Centre from 4-5.30pm starting 19 February  Find out more

Council will also run its anxiety program, Worried Minds, in schools for a second year in 2018. This five week program helps young people in years 7–10 manage stress and worry.

In 2018, Council will provide a Youth Mental Health First Aid training course that supports adults to assist adolescents who may be developing a mental health issue.  

Participants learn about adolescent development, signs and symptoms of mental health issues, where to get help, and how to provide first aid in a crisis. Find out more

Parent education sessions will also be delivered throughout 2018.

Find out more about Youth Services in Bayside