headspace
Toowoomba

headspace Toowoomba is not a crisis service. If you feel you, or the people around you, may be in danger, please contact emergency services on 000.

If you require non emergency, more immediate support, we suggest you contact any of the phone numbers supplied below.

Are you 12-25 and need someone to talk to?  At headspace Toowoomba, we've got your back.

If you

• are feeling down, stressed, or can't stop worrying.
• haven't felt like yourself for a long time.
• can't deal with school or finding it difficult to concentrate.
• are feeling sick or worried about your health.
• want to cut down on your drinking or drug use.
• want to talk about sexuality, identity, or relationships.
• are having difficulties with friendships.
• have sexual health issues or want to find out about contraception.
• are being bullied, cyberbullied, hurt, or harassed.
• are worried about work or study or if you're having money trouble.
• are worried about a friend or family member.

headspace Toowoomba can help.

At headspace Toowoomba, our primary focus is the wellbeing of Young People in the region, and we understand that getting help early is important in resolving problems effectively.

Our services are free or low cost and we make sure that your privacy and confidentiality are maintained and respected.  If headspace Toowoomba is seriously worried about your safety, or the safety of someone else they must, by law, try to keep everyone safe.  This means we may have to share our concerns with someone else.  You can talk to your headspace Toowoomba worker about confidentiality at any time, if you have questions, or need more information.

Please bring your Medicare card with you.  If you don't have a Medicare card, or you forget it, don't worry, we'll sort something out for you.  To make an appointment just call or drop into headspace Toowoomba!  Alternatively, you can ask a friend, teacher, parent, other family member, health worker, or community agency to contact headspace Toowoomba with you.

headspace Toowoomba has great access for Young People and their Family and Friends.  We have off street parking, disability friendly spaces, and access to interpreters.

You are welcome to bring family and friends with you if you wish.  We love it.

We understand that asking for help when you're not feeling yourself can sometimes be difficult or uncomfortable.

Because of this, headspace Toowoomba have made our referral process as easy as possible.

If you are 12-25

• You can refer yourself.
• You can have Family or Friends refer you (with your consent).
• Your Doctor can refer you.
• Your School, TAFE, University, or other Agency helping you, can refer you (with your consent) or assist you in making an appointment.

If you are under 16 years of age, we love if you can come with a parent, care giver, or support person for your first appointment.

To make an appointment

You can call us on 07 4639 9000.

You can drop in an see us at 1 Snell Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350.

If you require urgent, or out of business hours help, please call Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800, Lifeline - 13 11 14, or visit - eheadspace.com.au

Privacy

At headspace Toowoomba we take your privacy very seriously and anything shared with us is confidential.  We keep all your information on a secure database which is only available to headspace Toowoomba Workers.  The law stops us from sharing your information outside these people unless we have your permission.  Sometimes you do not want us to share your information and we respect that, however, there may be times when we need to talk to someone without your permission, such as; if you or someone else is at significant harm risk or if the law requires us to do so.

Cost

Care and Support is free.  We have bulk billed appointments using Mental Health Care Plans and General Practitioner Management Plans.  We also have in-kind support appointments with our Community Partners.

You don’t need to have a Mental Health Care Plan or General Practitioner Management Plan before contacting headspace Toowoomba and coming in for your first appointment.  These can be arranged for you with your own Doctor, after you attend.

Bulk Billing is where headspace Toowoomba, instead of charging you, can bill Medicare for the Care and Support that you receive.

In-kind support is where appointments are donated to headspace Toowoomba by our Community Partners to help Young People have a variety of Care and Support choices.

Some young people have found these various apps, online programs, and organisations helpful while they are waiting for their appointment at headspace Toowoomba:

Mental Health

eheadspace - Free, confidential, over the phone or online counselling service provided by headspace.  1800 650 890 or visit the website eheadspace

Kids Helpline - Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5-25 years.  1800 55 1800 or visit the website Kids Helpline 

ReachOut - Online resources and support for young people under 25 going through a tough time. Visit the website - ReachOut

Head to Health - Wherever you are on your mental health journey, Head to Health is here to help you find the information, resources, and services that most suit your needs.  Visit the website - Head to Health

Bite Back - Online activities, psychoeducation and positive psychology to support young people with their mental health.  Visit the website - Bite Back

BeyondNow App -  This is a safely planning app that you can work through if you're having thoughts of suicide.  Visit the website - Beyond Blue

The Brave Program - Online program to support young people aged 8-17 with anxiety.  Visit the website - The Brave Program

Physical and Sexual Health

True - Seeks to improve reproductive and sexual health and promotes safe and respectful relationships.  Open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.  Phone 07 4632 8166 or visit the website - True

House Call Doctor - After hours, bulk billed, and home Doctor service.  Phone 13 55 66 or visit the website - House Call Doctor

National Home Doctor Service -  After hours, bulk billed, Doctor home visit.  Phone 13 74 25 or visit the website - Home Doctor

Alcohol and Drugs

Lives Lived Well - Free alcohol and other drug counselling services with specific support for young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and day rehabilitation.  Phone counselling is available.  Phone 1300 727 957 or visit the website to self refer - Lives Lived Well

Hello Sunday Morning - Website and app that support young people cutting back or taking a break from alcohol.  Visit the website - Hello Sunday Morning

Work and Study

headspace work and study - Do you need help with looking for a job? Or support in starting a career? Or advice on study options?  Visit the website - headspace Work and Study

The Desk - Online tools and programs to support students with their mental health.  Visit the website - The Desk

headspace Toowoomba has free onsite parking, accessible via Finchley St, including disability parking and wheel chair access throughout the centre, including toilets.

headspace Toowoomba is accessible by public transport with bus stops only a short walk away.  Please check out the Translink website to plan your journey to headspace Toowoomba - https://translink.com.au/

headspace Toowoomba workers are dedicated youth health professionals who can support you in a friendly, confidential, and non-judgemental environment.

Scott - centre manager

Favourite food? Indian - Saag Paneer. Dream pet? Whippets. Superpower of choice? Flying. Thing I love doing most? Thinking. My '3 wishes to change the world' would be? The world was secular, and science based; The world was free of animal cruelty and nature was valued; and The world was more caring, and health and happiness was a priority.

Brad - clinical lead

What is your favourite thing to do on the weekend? I love nature.   My ideal thing would be for my home to be a place that I wanted to be at all weekend - having a pool, nice, lush gardens, and a workshop to make things. For now, however, I just enjoy going to the beach, going for drives, and enjoying the sunset over a campfire. Dream holiday? Interesting question. I have never been on a plane, but I would love to go to Thailand and see where my uncle lived and enjoy the culture. Would love to see the northern lights and would love to pack up and road trip across Australia on the coastline. Favourite colour? Funnily enough green like the headspace green. If I had to be specific maybe like an aqua kind of colour.

Bec - senior intake worker

Areas of professional interest? Interested in how mainstream media and culture contribute to the under representation of women in power and how to challenge limiting gender stereotypes and create innovative and fun ways to educate our young people in this space in the hope of building greater self-esteem and confidence in Young People. Also really interested in holistic youth development and the impacts of trauma and how to create and support secure attachments which allow adults and Young People to develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience over time. Favourite food? Chips and gravy but when I feel more adventurous, I love cooking and eating Thai food. Dream holiday? Road trip around Australia including the beautiful Tasmania. Favourite colour? Turquoise.

Tash - intake worker

Superpower of choice? To see into the future. Thing I love doing most? Painting, swimming at the beach, listening to music. My '3 wishes to change the world' would be? That all humans loved one another and acted as such; That humans treated animals and the environment better; and That we had more answers to life’s big questions. Dream holiday? Travelling around the Australian coastline for a year in a van.

Sharon - intake worker

What is your favourite thing to do on the weekend?  Chill with my family and friends and watch as much sport as possible. Dedicated kiwi whose favourite teams are the Warriors (NRL) and the Highlanders (Union).  Dream holiday?  Being anywhere near water. Would like to see a Puffin one day, which would mean going to Iceland.  Favourite food? Any sort of pudding. Rice pudding, choc mousse, jelly.

Taylor - intake worker

Favourite colour? Yellow. Favourite Food? Double Choc Brownies. Things I love doing most? Going to the beach with my dogs and family.

Lilli - intervention worker

Favourite food? Pasta. Dream holiday? Scotland. Favourite colour? Green.

Bec - practice manager

Favourite food? Thai. Dream pet? Chimpanzee. Thing I love doing most? Spending time with family and friends.

Grace - community engagement worker

Favourite food? Thai. Dream holiday? Singapore. Superpower of choice? Same as the Flash.

Dan - practice administration worker

Favourite colour? Blue. Dream holiday? Sunshine Coast. Things I love doing most? Painting. Playing Music.

Charlee - practice administration worker

Favourite movie? The Princess Bride, it’s everything you need in a movie suspense, true love, sword fights, R.O.U.S ( the dreaded rodents of unusual size) and of course my most favourite wrestler of all time Andre the Giant!! Favourite food? This is a super hard one for me, I love food adventures and trying new things! I think a single meal would have to be lasagna, a single style of food would be soup (it’s amazing and so versatile!!) but a single cuisine would be Japanese for sure. I am also a huge sucker for donuts and caramel apples. What is your favourite thing to do on the weekend? Apart from spending time with my wife, our three dogs (a Great Dane named Ebony, a Kelpie named Monte and a Chihuahua named Rowan) and our two cats (Bowie and Ziggy) I love going on adventures, camping and fishing. I’m also a gamer but not as much as I once was!

Robin - ECP graduate 

Favourite food? Honey Chicken. Superpower of choice? Super imagination which is the ability to make others see what I imagine. Things I love doing most? Playing footy, jiu jitsu, and going for a long hike out somewhere real nice.

Wilson - resident groover

Favourite Food? Cake O_O. Dream Pet? Young People. Things I love doing most? Hanging at headspace Toowoomba. Playing with my best friend Pickles. Playing with my headspace Ball.

What is our Youth Engagement Subcommittee (YES)?

Providing Young People with the opportunity to be heard.

There are a number of roles you can do as a YES Member, including

• Leading a project / event / fundraiser in our Toowoomba region;
• Represent headspace Toowoomba and Young People;
• Social media and website consultation and development;
• Research and evaluation of headspace Toowoomba Care and Support;
• Consultation around resource development such as, factsheets, brochures, etc.;
• Peer support and mentoring;
• Become a Media Spokesperson; and
• Have the opportunity to sit in a Chair, or Vice Chair position.

By getting involved you will

• Have the opportunity to have your say about Mental Health Care and Support at headspace Toowoomba;
• Develop new skills;
• Attend leadership training;
• Be given the opportunity to participate in Mental Health training opportunities;
• Meet and work with other Young People who are passionate about Mental Health; and
• Make a difference to Mental Health.

Expectations and requirement’s

• Attend YES Meetings (held every month).
• Participate in planning and attending events.
• headspace Toowoomba will provide some training to support you to participate in the above activities.

How do I get involved?

• Complete the YES Application Form and email it to headspacetwba@youturn.org.au or you can drop it into headspace Toowoomba at 1 Snell Street, Toowoomba, QLD

What is our Family and Friends Subcommittee (FaFS)?

Providing Family and Friends of Young People with the opportunity to be heard.

There are a number of roles you can do as a FaFS Member, including

• Leading a project / event / fundraiser in our Toowoomba region;
• Represent headspace Toowoomba;
• Social media and website consultation and development;
• Research and evaluation of headspace Toowoomba Care and Support;
• Consultation around resource development such as, factsheets, brochures, etc.;
• Peer support and mentoring; and
• Have the opportunity to sit in a Chair, or Vice Chair position.

By getting involved you will

• Have the opportunity to have your say about Mental Health Care and Support at headspace Toowoomba;
• Develop new skills;
• Attend leadership training;
• Be given the opportunity to participate in Mental Health training opportunities;
• Meet and work with other People who are passionate about Mental Health; and
• Make a difference to Mental Health.

Expectations and requirement’s

• Attend FaFS Meetings (held every month).
• Participate in planning and attending events.
• headspace Toowoomba will provide some training to support you to participate in the above activities.

How do I get involved?

• Complete a FaFS Application Form and email it to community.headspacetwba@youturn.org.au or you can drop it into headspace Toowoomba at 1 Snell Street, Toowoomba, QLD

Events

Any upcoming events will be advertised online on our Facebook and Instagram.

All activities are free unless otherwise noted and will be run by our friendly team.

Community Engagement

If you would like resources to distribute to young people aged 12-25 please email community.headspacetwba@youturn.org.au.

For all enquiries regarding presentations and community engagement activities please contact community.headspacetwba@youturn.org.au.  Please be advised that 2-3 weeks’ notice for presentations and events is appreciated.

We are so grateful to be supported by such an amazing community.

Fundraisers and donations assist us to raise awareness and educate the community on mental health and wellbeing.  They also help us to improve headspace Toowoomba, helping to make sure Young People have a positive experience when they visit us.

Fundraising

If you would like to organise a fundraiser for headspace Toowoomba, please get in touch with us at community.headspacetwba@youturn.org.au or on (07) 4639 9000.

Donations

If you would like to donate to headspace Toowoomba, please get in touch with our centre on (07) 4639 9000 or send an email to community.headspacetwba@youturn.org.au.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.  Please let us know if you require a receipt for your donation.

What is the difference between psychiatry and psychology?

Psychologists and Psychiatrists both work in the area of Mental Health and often work together.  Psychiatrists first train as a doctor and then become specialists in psychiatry, which means they can prescribe medications for Mental Health issues.  Some are also trained in psychological therapy.  Psychologists on the other hand use non-medical techniques and therapies focusing on thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and reactions to improve wellbeing.  This can be done via individual, group or family work.

What is the difference between psychologist, social worker, and occupational therapist?

At headspace Toowoomba we have Workers from all three disciplines; each offering their own perspective on Mental Health.  The main difference is in relation to training and theories of clinical practice but regardless of who the Young Person sees, they will be seeing someone passionate about Young People and have the necessary training in Mental Health.

What are the iPads for?

Young People are asked to fill out a questionnaire about how they are going on the iPads before their appointment with a headspace Toowoomba Worker.  This provides useful information to their Worker and helps them to best support the Young Person.

What happens when a young person turns 26?

When a Young Person currently being seen at headspace Toowoomba turns 26 years old and still requires Mental Health support, their Worker will discuss alternative options available to them and refer them as appropriate.

What if a young person is nearly turning 12?

When a Young Person is almost 12, parents are welcome to contact headspace Toowoomba and an Intake Worker will speak to them about their concerns and suggest an appropriate way forward.

Can you get a Letter of Attendance at Reception?

Yes, if your Young Person has attended an appointment at headspace Toowoomba, you can ask our  Practice Administration Team before you leave to print out a letter of attendance.  This can be used by you and / or your Young Person to excuse you / their absence from work and / or school.

Do you have any interpreter options?

Yes, interpreters can be arranged in advance to support the Young Person or their Family to communicate with a headspace Toowoomba Worker during session. 

Do parents / carers have to attend the centre with their young person?

It would be awesome if parents / carers could attend for the Intake Assessment, as we want to make sure we benefit from your knowledge and experience of the Young Person's life.  Outside the Intake Assessment, parents / carers do not have to attend the centre with their Young Person, however, we do encourage parents / carers to be as involved as they can be.

What is a mature minor consent screen?

A minor (i.e. someone who is under 16 years of age) may be able to give informed consent if they have sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable full understanding of what is being proposed.

Where does the information go that a young person, family member or carer provide?

All personal information about Young People or Families is stored safely and securely on our electronic medical record.  This information will not be shared with anybody outside headspace Toowoomba unless we have your / your Young Person’s consent or where we are required to disclose information by law (e.g. if we receive a subpoena) or where we might have immediate safety concerns about a Young Person.

If I have concerns or feedback, who can I speak to?

We have Feedback Forms available at our Reception.  Alternatively, you can contact the centre directly and chat to our Centre Manager.