Community Health Nurse
This is a service that aims to provide young people with advice, advocacy, referral and assistance around adolescent health issues. Such as:
- Sexual health - information around sexual health (ie: safe sex contraception options, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing)
- Young people that have substance abuse issues
- Issues around sexuality
- Eating disorders and body image problems (referral and treatment options)
- Any general medical issues or assistance with referral for mental health issues
- Support for young people whose parents or carers have difficulties with a chronic, acute or mental illness
For more information phone the service coordinator or health nurse on 9431 1333.
Reach Out
ReachOut.com is a web-based service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times, and find ways to boost their own mental health and wellbeing. Our aim is to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing by building skills and providing information, support and referrals in ways we know work for young people.
For more information visit the ReachOut website.
Youth dental program
This is a service that aims to provide priority, free of charge care for secondary school students in years 9-12 and for school leavers under 18 years of age. The service provides:
- Dental check-ups and professional advice, cleaning, fillings and root canal therapy
- Mouth guards and splints
- Emergency appointments and referrals to specialists at Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital where necessary
Appointments are also available out of school hours on Monday nights and Saturday mornings. There's no waiting list to access this program and all conservative treatment is free of charge.
For more information phone the Nillumbik Community Health Service on 9431 1333.
Medicare Teen Dental Plan
Medicare is asking schools to let parents know about the Medicare Teen Dental Plan, which entitles many teens to a dental voucher of up to $159.85 to help with the cost of a preventative dental check.
To be eligible, teenagers must be entitled to Medicare benefits, be receiving certain government payouts individually or as part of a family and be aged 12-17 years for at least part of the calendar year.
For more information visit the Medicare Australia website.
SMS sexual health advice for young Australians
In a breakthrough for Australian youth, advice on sexual health is now just an SMS away. A revolutionary new text messaging service, targeting 16-25 year olds, offers advice on everything from pregnancy through to sexually transmitted infections, direct to your mobile phone. By texting the word sexinfo to 19 739 898 (19sextxt), users will receive a reply within seconds with seven options for automated assistance on sexual health issues. Texts cost 55centr per message. This is a not-for-profit service.
From harm to calm
Self-harm continues to be an issue that impacts on the lives of many young people and their families. The 'from harm to calm' project has a focus on direct service, group work and supporting young people in both secondary and upper primary schools.
For more information phone Kylie or Janet at the Nillumbik Community Health Service on 9431 1333.
Victoria Legal Aid new publication for sexual assault victims
Victoria Legal Aid's 'Sexual Assault: the law, your rights as a victim' has now been reprinted. This free 20-page booklet provides a clear overview of the legal process for victims of sexual assault.
It has been updated to reflect changes to the law relating to sexual offences and it provides information for victims about:
- Where sexual assault victims can get help
- The pros and cons of reporting a sexual assault to the police
- The legal process after reporting a sexual assault
- Compensation and financial assistance for sexual assault victims
For more information visit the Legal Aid website or phone 9269 0223.
Headspace
Headspace is committed to making sure that the young people across Australia have the best support, access, information and services for health issues.
Headspace have increased capacity for young people to see GPS and allied health practitioners. This means there is currently no wait and it is a perfect time to refer young people for any of the following:
- General physical health
- Sexual health
- Nutrition and diet
- Contraception
- Relationships
- Sports injuries
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Not coping at school
- Not sleeping well or sleeping too much
- Finding it hard to concentrate
- Wanting to cut down drinking or drug use
- Bullied, hurt or sexually harassed
For more information visit the Headspace website.
The Body Project
Manningham YMCA Youth Services are putting healthy lifestyle changes into practice by offering a low cost gym program linked with emotional support by a youth support worker for young girls aged 14-17 years with weight issues and/or a negative body image attitude. Each session will consist of group and individual support followed by a fun work out in a fully equipped gym with a fully qualified female instructor.
To download a application form visit Manningham YMCA Youth Services website.
For more information phone on 9848 5400 or email Manningham YMCA Youth Services.
New Mental Health Advice Line
The Mental Health Advice Line is a state-wide Victorian phone service that provides immediate, expert mental health advice from a registered mental health professional, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
By calling one state-wide number 1300 280 737 Victorians of all ages and backgrounds will now have speedy access to clear expert advice, referral and information about the full spectrum of mental health issues. Calls from anywhere in Victoria are charged at the cost of a local call (mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate).
The service commenced in the Barwon-South Western and Grampians regions on Monday 30 November and will be rolled out across the state over the next two weeks. The roll-out will culminate with the Minister for Mental Health launching the service state-wide on Thursday 10 December 2009.
The Mental Health Advice Line is one of the initiatives under the Because Mental Health Matters: Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy 2009-2010. It was established in response to the low level of literacy about mental health problems in the community – people do not always know who to turn to for help.
For more information phone contact Leanne Roberts on 9096 8548 or visit the Mental health Advice Line website.
NCASA Edge Outpost
Have you experienced any kind of sex or sexual behaviour you didn’t want…..recently or in the past? Would you like to talk about how its affecting you? They now have an experienced counsellor you can talk to at the edge youth service, Westfield Plenty Valley.
For more information, talk to a worker or to arrange a referral phone 9496 2240.
Sex Etc
A web site by teens, for teens! With answers to those tricky questions you’re not sure about.
For more information visit the Sex Etc website.
