E-counselling service kicks off around-the-clock coverage

Monday, October 24, 2011

A new era in mental health support for young Australians begins today with the expansion of a groundbreaking e-counselling service to provide 24-hour online and telephone support to 12-25 years olds.
Run by headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, eheadspace is a confidential, free and secure space where a young person can call,web chat or email with a qualified youth mental health professional.
It is not, however, a crisis support line. Existing services such as Lifeline and Kids Helpline will continue to be the primary telephone contact point for young people in crisis.
eheadspace complements the existing youth mental health services offered by headspace at its 30 centres located around Australia. The service will help overcome barriers that young people often face in accessing care and support such as geography and cost.
eheadspace offers more flexible access to professional help. Young people can choose the time and place as well as online or telephone support.
As well as non-crisis online and telephone mental health support and counselling, the service will provide assisted referrals to traditional services (headspace centres, other face to face services, other online services, crisis services such as Kids Helpline and LifeLine) as well as offering support to navigate the mental health system.
headspace Acting CEO Liz Burgat said eheadspace further strengthened the coverage of mental health services for young people across the country.
“Young people feel safer and less emotionally exposed when engaged in an online counselling session,” said Ms Burgat.
“It can act as a „soft entry‟ for young people to seeking professional help and will ensure problems are taken care of early. eheadspace means that young people can be supported, no matter where they are located or what time of day it is. It will become an integral part of the service headspace provides.
“The expansion of the service will be particularly significant for young people from rural and remote areas who currently travel long distances to access mental health services.”
Hon Mark Butler, Minister Mental Health and Ageing said: “headspace already makes a significant contribution to improving the mental health of young Australians. eheadspace will ensure that young people who don't feel comfortable or have difficulty accessing face-to-face services don't get left behind and get the support they need.” The service has been operating as a pilot, focusing on young people in Western Australia affected by drought since July 2010.
One young person, Amber, who has used eheadspace during the trial, said it had been a great support during a difficult time.
“You have a great big team of wonderful, helpful, supporting, willing to help, caring, kind and friendly staff,” Amber said.
“They listen to what I need to say, listen to what I feel I need to talk about for the session that I have for the day, and also help me to work out what I need to do.”
The eheadspace address is eheadspace.org.au, the telephone component will be operational from 10pm Monday 24th October on 1800 650 890.
Since the pilot began in July 2010 traffic has grown from 177 messages (sent/received) in the first month to over 20,000 messages in August this year (most recent month that data is available). Currently there are more than 1500 registered users across the country.

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