Resources

For Children and Adolescents

Beyond Blue: A resource for adolescents experiencing anxiety or depression that provides resources, webchat and 24-hour phone line 1300 224 636.

BeyondNow: A safety-planning app from Beyond Blue.

Reach Out: Provides practical information, tools and support for adolescents, ranging from everyday troubles to really tough times.

Kid's Helpline: A free 24-hour counselling service for kids and adolescents aged 5-25 years. You can get help by email, web, or over the phone 1800 551 800.

Bite Back: A new and ever-changing space where you can discover ways to amplify the good stuff in life, share real and personal stories with others, check out videos, blogs and interviews of interesting people, check and track your mental fitness, and get your teeth stuck in to a bunch of activities!

LGBTIQA+ Counselling Service NSW: Twenty10 is a volunteer-based community service providing a broad range of specialised services for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, non-binary, intersex, questioning, queer, asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people aged 12-25 years. Services include housing, mental health, counselling and social support. They also provide support for friends and family and the wider community throughout NSW on sexuality and life issues.

Headspace: A National Youth Mental Health Foundation that provides face-to-face support for adolescents between 12-25 years on general health, mental health and counselling, education, employment, and alcohol and other drugs. The headspace website provides information about your nearest centre and resources for adolescents and their parents / carers. 

Lifeline: A support and suicide prevention service that provides webchat 7.00pm to 4.00am and 24/7 phone line 13 11 14. 

Stay Healthy HSC Hub: Stay healthy, stay active and keep connected during the HSC using our resources for studying, self-care and staying informed. 

 

If you or someone you know is not safe

DOCS Helpline: 13 21 11

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 200 526

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au

Safe Steps: a 24-hour family violence response centre 1800 015 188 or visit www.safesteps.org.au

Victims Support Line: 1800 633 063

 

Some online therapy, medication and self-help resources

TeenSTRONG: For young people from 12-17 years old who have anxiety and/or depression. This course of treatment requires the supervision of a parent or carer and a prescription from a clinician.

Mood gym: For anxiety and depression. Moodgym is like an interactive self-help book that helps you to learn and practise skills that can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Brave: For children and teenagers who experience Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Specific Phobia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

Ecouch: A self-help interactive program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety & worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss & grief. It provides evidence-based information and teaches strategies drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity.

Smiling Mind: a free mindfulness meditation app for a range of ages and settings. 

Sleep shack: Gen Z’s home of better sleep. A clinically proven, personalised sleep treatment program for teens & tweens developed by Australia’s leading Sleep Doctors.

Anxiety in Youth: A useful resource (from Canada) for children and teenagers on help with anxiety. 

Anxiety awareness guide for parents: 'Small Steps' is an anxiety awareness program for primary schools, which is run by WayAhead - Mental Health Association NSW (funded by The NSW Mental Health Commission).

Online ADHD Coaching: Connect is based in Queensland and has provided online coaching since 2014 nationally and internationally. They work in a taylored way with teenagers, adults, families and couples. 

 

For Parents/Carers

Parentline: A free counselling and referral service for all NSW parents of children aged 0-18 years that provides online resources and operates a part-time 7-day (including public holidays) phone line on 1300 130 052.

Raising Children Network: Offers parents reliable and scientifically-validated information and resources to support them in the day-to-day work of raising children and looking after their own needs.  

Parent worksParentWorks is a free online program for Australian parents and caregivers of children 2 to 16. It has been developed by a team of psychologists and researchers at the University of Sydney and provides evidence-based parenting strategies to improve parenting skills, confidence and child behaviour. This means that the strategies in the program have been tested and found to work. 

ADHD Resources: helpful inforation and excellent resources from ADHD Australia. 

eSafety: eSafety commission website thay provides resources to support safe use of technology.  

Parenting events: a regularly updated resource of programs and events for parents of children across all age groups from toddlerhood to adolescence. 

Tips on managing sleep: An ABC article that distils some current wisdom to support parents in managing sleep in their child, across all age groups from toddlerhood to adolescence. 

 

For Indigenous Families

Gunawirra: Programs for families with preschool children and training for preschool teachers. 

How to contact a health service: Provides a list of locally-based Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) contact details. 

Healing Foundation: A portal to visit Healing resources. A recent publication is Growing Our Children Up Strong: healing for children and young people.

Closing The Gap resource sheet on trauma: What works and culturally-specific approaches to trauma-informed care. 

ANU Trauma Loss and Grief Network: Provides resources and weblinks around the specific issues arising in Indigenous families and communities around trauma, loss and grief. 

Closing The Gap: A clearinghouse for research and evaluation evidence on what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage. 

 

For Families of a Child on the Autism Spectrum

Helping Children with Autism: This is a link to the Department of Health webpage about Medicare items that are available to assist with the assessment and management of autism. This funding is a single entitlement (not recurring each year) and is in addition to the 10-sessions available each year through the Better Access to Mental Health Care Plan and Chronic Disease Management (formerly Enhanced Primary Care or EPC) possibly available through your GP. You are strongly encouraged to register for the Medicare Safety Net, which may refund 80% of the gap costs for the remainder of the year once a threshold of spending has been reached for a household (please also refer to the summary on the About My Fees page).  

Raising Children Network FAQ on NDIS: The Raising Children Network provides this guide to answer your questions about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). If your child has a significant and permanent disability, then NDIS can provide financial support for your child, as well as for you and your family. 

Positive Partnerships NDIS FAQs sheet: Positive Partnerships also provides a FAQ on NDIS funding. 

RANZCP Factsheet: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist provides factsheets. This link takes you to one about autism. 

Aspect: Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is a service provider for autism and other disabilities. Services include a schools program, providing information and advice, diagnostic assessments, behaviour support, parent and family support, and adult programs. 

Aspect was appointed by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to deliver the Autism Advisor Program in NSW, which is a component of the federal government’s Helping Children with Autism package.

Autism Community Network: The Autism Community Network advances the health and social wellbeing of people with autism, their families and communities by providing:
- Information, support and coordination of services for individuals with autism, their parents and carers;
- Social skills building programs for children and adults with autism;
- Community development programs for disability services and mainstream providers.

Autism Awareness: Autism Awareness is an Australian organisation that provides resources for families about how Autism Spectrum presents throughout different ages and how it is diagnosed, interventions and funding. 

Financial AssistanceASPECT provides a current summary of the financial assistance available to families of children with autism.  

Amazing things happenPublished in March 2017, this short animation is an introduction to autism that aims to raise awareness among young neurotypical audiences, to stimulate understanding and acceptance in future generations. It is intended to be viewed, discussed and shared widely by anyone but especially teachers and parents.

DADa film about having a child with autism and fatherhood. A short documentary following the often untold stories of fathers with children on the spectrum, DAD shares the experiences of twelve Aussie dads as they navigate the world of parenting and autism.

Medication guide for parents: A guide for parents of a child with ASD about approaches to using medication that is published by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatry Association. (NB The US Food & Drug Administration, FDA, referred to on page 10 has different regulations to the Australian equivalent, the Therapeutic Goods Administration).

Advocating for your child with autism in school: An ABC Life artcile published 1 May 2019. 

I CAN network: employs adults with Autism to deliver mentoring programs, insights and professional development workshops in schools, workplaces and online. 

Specialisterne: supporting young people with ASD entering the workforce. Specialisterne Australia helps employers understand, value, and include the unique skills and capabilities of people on the autism spectrum.

Planet puberty: Helping parents of kids with intellectual disability and autism navigate a new world. 

The A List: A the place where young people with autism can search for autism friendly activities and connect with like-minded people with similar interests. Try a new hobby or explore your interests further. Connect with a peer mentor. Find your passion. Get social.

The LabA network of technology clubs for autistic children and young people who enjoy working with computers. 

What are the levels of autism?: a helpful description of the meaning and use of levels of autism, and its limitations. 

 

Supporting children, adolescents, and adults during the coronavirus pandemic

Emerging Minds: A selection of resources will assist parents and carers to best support their children and reduce worry and distress. It contains videos, factsheets and tips about what you can expect and how you can help children cope.

Beyond Blue: Providing a Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.

How to wear a mask safely: NSW Health advice on effective and safe use of masks. 

 

Prescribing and medication

Medisafe: An app to help you remember when to take your pills.

MedAdvisor: An app to help you liaise with your pharmacy about when medication might run out. MedAdvisor connects to your pharmacy to provide automatic details of your medication, scripts and repeats.

E-scripts and Active Script List explained.

 

Accessing services in NSW

Head to Health: A portal provided by the Department of Health to access resources and therapy sites. 

NSW Mental Health Access Line on 1800 011 511: A 24-hour helpline for mental health emergency consultations and access to out-of-hour services.

Find a Clinical Psychologist: The Australian Clinical Psychology Association provides a webpage to assist in finding a Clinical Psychologist in your area. Please click on the above link to access this. 

Find a Psychologist: Search for a Psychologist in your area on the Australian Psychological Society website. 

NSW anti-bullying website: Resources and information for schools, parents and carers, and students.

Healthdirect Australia: 1800 022 222. A national public health information resource that offers access to free health helplines as well as online health information and advice.

Relationships Australia: provides support, counselling and therapy for individuals, families, and communities 1300 364 277.

Family Relationships Advice Line: 1800 050 321. Information for all families – whether together or separated – about family relationship issues and a range of services to assist families manage relationship issues, including helping families agree on arrangements for children after parents separate, and how to access counselling, dispute resolution services, legal advice and financial advice.

Kids Matter: an Australian mental health and wellbeing initiative set in primary schools and early childhood education and care services. 

COPMI: Children of Parents with Mental Illness: A website providing video resources for children, parents, friends, and professionals. 

Gender centre: The Gender Centre provides a broad range of specialised services that enables the exploration of gender identity and assistance with the alleviation of gender dysphoria. Trans and gender expressive people are supported at every stage of their journey as they explore their authentic sense of self. 

Live Life Get Active: provides free health, fitness and nutritional education both online and in the parks, suburbs and cities of Australia (supported by Local Government and Corporate Australia). The activities though are for people aged 18 years and older. 

YMCA Brightside: The YMCA’s Brightside program offers opportunities for people with a mental illness to improve their physical, social and mental health and wellbeing. The program offers free and unlimited access to a YMCA facility for 60 days, as well as a customised exercise program and one-on-one support. 

School holiday program: Provided by NSW Sports and Recreation.

Youth Alcohol & Other Drug Services: This resource provides an overview of the specialist non government youth services providing alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in NSW who are members of the Youth AOD Services Network. It is provided by the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA), which represents close to 100 non government organisational members that provide a broad range of alcohol and other drugs services including health promotion and harm reduction, early intervention, treatment and continuing care programs. 

 

Accessing further information

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists: Provides fact sheets on a range of mental health topics.

Black Dog Institute: Provides fact sheets on depression, bipolar disorder, including in young people, their treatments, mood charts, and staying well techniques.

A Guide to What Works for Depression: An evidence-based review produced by Beyond Blue, which is a wonderful resource. 

Medicare AustraliaProvides information on a range of benefits, payments and services to help with the cost of health services, prescription medicines and medical equipment.