headspace
Orange

IMG 5448sq

Hours

  • Monday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

About

Gawaymbanha, welcome to headspace Orange.

headspace is a youth-friendly FREE service for anyone aged between 12 and 25 years who are having a tough time, or would just like to improve their health and wellbeing.

For crisis assistance please:
Phone 000 or attend Orange Hospital
Call 1800 011 511 (24 hr Mental Health Assistance Line)
Or visit your doctor

For non-urgent support:
Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Parent Line 1300 1200 52
Visit Online & Phone Support or a web chat
or call 1800 650 890 to speak to
someone over the phone.

If you have not received a reply to your email within 3-5 business days please call our office on 6369 9300 to follow up your request.

Hours

  • Monday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

headspace Orange is operated by Marathon Health. All headspace services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Administration of funding is carried out by the headspace centre’s local Primary Health Network, in this case, Western NSW (Western Health Alliance Ltd).

Services

Your GP can refer you to see a specialist youth psychiatrist for bulk billed assessment and management advice for mental health issues.

Mental health workers – which may include psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors and other workers – that can help if you're just not feeling yourself.

Workers either on site or linked to the centre who can assist you with any alcohol or other drug concern.

A group of young people who help with events and some decision making at a centre. Ask your centre about getting involved.

Services could include: provision of contraception and advice, testing, support, treatment and management of sexually transmissible infections(STI) HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis vaccination for Hepatitis and HPV, pregnancy testing and referral.

GPs can help with any physical health issues as well as issues related to sexual health, drug or alcohol use, relationship problems or feeling down or upset. Your centre may have a GP on site or links to one locally. 

Workers either on site or linked to the centre who can assist you with work or study opportunities. 

Centres have a range of programs and activities for young people. Just ask your centre what they have on. 

“As soon as I sought help, I suddenly realised that my anxiety was very treatable and that I wasn’t alone.”
- Charlie

More information

Our centre is located at 264 Peisley Street, Orange. We have handy parking in front of and next to our building and are located only a short walk from the CBD.

Our centre is wheelchair accessible.

Getting to our centre:

Orange Taxi: 02 6325 0099

Orange Busline: Timetables

We are here to help! Our staff can assist you with your concerns and provide you with support, information and services in a confidential, non-judgmental environment.

Management

Sophia Parris - Centre Manager 

Rosie Hayes - Senior Youth Care Coordinator

Reception

Brittany Coles - Program Support Officer 

Angela Spruce - Program Support Officer 

Youth Care Coordinators

Kate Burke

Charlotte Cooper (Provisional Psychologist)

Community Awareness Officer

Emma Crisp

Youth Peer Support Workers

Mitchell Boland

Adrian Nicholls

Allied Health Professionals

Ruth Brown - Psychologist

Simone Walsh - Social Worker (Mental Health Accredited)

Medical Practitioners

Dr Tim Kirchler - GP

Jo Marjoram - Nurse Practitioner

Dr Syed Shah - Psychiatrist

referrals to headspace Orange

Self or family referral: If you are a young person between the ages of 12-25 and wish to make an appointment please call (02) 6369 9300, email hs.orange@marathonhealth.com.au or visit us in person to make an appointment. Your family members or friends may also refer you to our service, with your permission.  

If you'd prefer to chat online eheadspace might be for you. eheadspace is a confidential, free and secure space where young people aged 12-25 or their family can chat, email or speak on the phone with a qualified youth mental health professional. You can find out all about it and sign up for your headspace account here.

Professional referral: If you would like to refer a young person to our service, please download the form below and return to us via email hs.orange@marathonhealth.com.au.

Referral Form

Are you aged between 16 and 25 and live in Orange?

Do you have something to say about the health, mental health and drug/alcohol issues young people face?

Applications are now open for young people aged between 16-25 years to be part of the headspace Orange Youth Reference Group in 2023.

By sharing your insight into local youth issues, topics of interest and your experience of life in a regional town, you will be guiding headspace Orange in project development and improving the way we support young people in the Orange community.

headspace Orange believe that youth participation is the key to the delivery of quality services for young people. We also aim to provide young people with meaningful opportunities to directly participate and collaborate with its structure and services.

Young people involved with the headspace Orange Youth Reference Group have the opportunity to be involved in a number of ways, including (but not limited to):

  • Encouraging the voice of young people to be heard and acted upon
  • Becoming community spokespeople for youth mental health and wellbeing
  • Providing input on site design and ongoing building improvements
  • Planning and attending local events and promoting the headspace Orange services
  • Website and social media consultation and development
  • Research and evaluation of headspace services
  • Consultation around resource development like fact sheets, brochures and promotional material
  • Peer support and mentoring
  • Becoming a media spokesperson

For more information please call Emma at headspace Orange on 6369 9300 or email emma.crisp@marathonhealth.com.au

Download the information and application pack here: Application Pack

headspace Orange offers two LGBTQIA+ support groups.

Jelly Beans is a social and support group for young people aged between 12-15.

 

Kaleidoscope is a social and support group for young people aged between 16-25.

Both groups are inclusive and supportive of young people in the local area who identify as LGBTQIA+ or are questioning their gender or sexuality.

The groups are currently running on Wednesday's fortnightly from 4pm-5pm. For more information call 02 6369 9300.

Gaming group is a social group that encourages healthy gaming behaviours while teaching life skills that promote good mental health.

The group runs fortnightly on Thursday's from 4pm-6pm and caters to those aged 12-25 who are interested in gaming of all kinds including video, card and board games.

For more information contact hs.orange@mararthonhealth.com.au or phone 02 6369 9300.

headspace work and study programs support 15-25 year old's to plan a career, find employment or work towards further education – in a highly accessible, confidential and youth-friendly environment.

From one-on-one support with a careers specialist to linking in with industry-specific mentors, our work and study programs provide free, expert and tailored support.

The service exists to support young people whose work and study activities have been impacted by mental health, especially for those young people who are not eligible for traditional employment services or are not receiving the level of support they need from these services.

And they are delivered online or over the phone to ensure that all your people, wherever they live, can take part.

Workers either on site or linked to the centre who can assist you with work or study opportunities. 

Our Family and Friends Group is made up of community members who are passionate about the mental health and wellbeing of young people. We provide them with the opportunity to have input into the strategic direction of headspace services and local mental health services. 

Friends and Family Group members do vital work to keep our service running. Member responsibilities include:

  • Participating in bi monthly meetings on a regular basis
  • Undertaking training about headspace, mental health, mental illness and talking to the media
  • Participating in teleconferences, email and Facebook discussions
  • Supporting local headspace activities

Some members may choose to:

  • Become community advocates for youth mental health which will raise awareness of youth mental health, encourage young people to seek help early and to educate the broader community about mental health and wellbeing
  • Be involved in community education activities
  • Become a media spokesperson to advocate for youth mental health and wellbeing
  • Speak at public functions, local schools, mental health forums or conferences.

If you are interested in becoming an advocate for youth mental health and wellbeing in your area please contact the centre on 6369 9300 or complete the follow application form and return to emma.crisp@marathonhealth.com.au

Application Package

In addition to providing services within our centre, headspace Orange also has a commitment to engaging the community. Building positive relationships with local schools/TAFE/uni, community groups, sporting groups, and organisations is important to us. 
If you have an event coming up and would like headspace Orange to be involved, please fill out the following form and email to hs.orange@marathonhealth.com.au
Please be mindful we require a minimum of 2 weeks notice.

orange-engagement-request-form2020.docx

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)?

A MHTP is created by your GP. It briefly outlines what your concerns may be and what is the best way forward. This often includes counselling through a professional such as a psychologist. MHTP's last for 12 months and allow up to six appointments before a review with your GP is required. After that review, your GP will work with you to determine whether it is necessary to access another four appointments in a calendar year (so a total of 10 appointments in a calendar year).

Why do I need to get a MHTP?

Here at headspace Orange, all of our services are FREE because we claim the cost of your appointment through Medicare. To access our psychology services free of charge, you are required to get a MHTP from your GP.

How do I get a MHTP?

Your headspace Orange Youth Care Coordinator can help with this by sending their notes to a GP (with your permission). Then all you need to do is book an appointment with a GP. Be sure to request a long appointment as it often takes at least 20 minutes for the doctor to create a plan for you. It might be a good idea to mention to your GP that you would like a MHTP so you can access headspace Orange’s services.

I have a MHTP, now what?

Once you have your MHTP, you can ask your GP to email to headspace or drop it into the centre or call our reception staff and let them know so that we can offer you the next available appointment with a psychologist.

What happens if my Doctor won’t write a MHTP for me?

If this happens, let us know and we’ll work with you to find another option. Don’t worry, we’ll still do all we can to support you, even without a MHTP.

You can have your own Medicare card if you’re aged 15 or older and enrolled in Medicare.

To get your own card you need to complete a form. Complete the Application to copy or transfer from one Medicare card to another form.

The form is then given to a service centre. To make sure it’s you, they will ask for some identification. You need to bring one of the following:

  • birth certificate
  • current driver’s licence
  • current passport.

They will usually tell you your Medicare number straight away and send your card in 3 to 4 weeks.

You can use a digital copy of your Medicare card in the meantime. 

Keep in mind, you can only be on 2 Medicare cards at the same time.