
Simple Steps Solutions
A pathway to mental health support for youth
What we do
Simple Steps funds professional counselling for young people who have mental health issues
How we do it
With the help of Headspace young people access appropriate counseling sessions
Why we do it
There is a shortfall of Government mental health services in Australia especially for young people
The Issues
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Lives Are Hard For Young People
We all know about the shortfalls of the existing provision of mental health services in Australia, especially for young people. There are often long waiting lists, and service providers are hard to access, leaving many people falling through the gaps.
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Qualified Mental Health Support
Simple Steps helps young people work with qualified counsellors to get the mental health support they need confidentially and at no cost. Everything is organised through our partnerships: we have no contact with participants. We simply fund the program.
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We Provide Access
Young people seeking support contact Headspace, who will help them select a suitable counsellor. Appointments are organised in the usual manner, and the counsellor bills Simple Steps. We acknowledge the complexity that can accompany mental health issues.
The Action
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Filling a Growing Gap
Simple Steps is a local response to a community issue. The Rotary Club of Knox saw a growing need for mental health services and developed and implemented a program designed to help fill these gaps.
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Increasing Access
A referral is not needed to speak with headspace for mental health support. As a diverse mental health service, they can help clients select the most appropriate counsellor, simplifying the process of finding and accessing the right help.
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Working with Professionals
Simple Steps helps to fund sessions with qualified counsellors who are well- trained in the prevention and early intervention space. They are equipped to identify more complex mental health challenges and can provide support until access to more intensive care becomes available, if necessary.
But doesn’t the Government pay for this?
Currently, there is no capture-all system
for youth mental health
Simple Step Solutions was established to fill the funding gaps
It is a collaborative and complimentary service that provides additional support
For many the wait is too long; young people are reluctant to ask parents for funding too
Simple Steps Solutions reduces mental stress for youth, reduces waiting lists and reduces service pressures