headspace
Mparntwe Alice Springs

Nurse drop-in appointments every day

Need to speak with a nurse? Bec, our nurse at headspace Mparntwe Alice Springs, offers drop-in appointments for all young people aged 12–25 during our opening hours.

Bec can help with:

• General health checks.

• Sexual health advice and STI screening.

• Contraception and pregnancy advice.

• Wound care.

• Immunisations.

• Health information, advice and support.

Simply visit the centre and speak with our reception team. Bec may already be supporting another young person when you arrive, so there may be a short wait or we may arrange a suitable time for you to return.

Your appointment is private and confidential. Bec will explain any limits to confidentiality and answer your questions.

Services at headspace Mparntwe Alice Springs are free for ALL young people.

We may ask for your Medicare details as part of the referral process. If you do not have a Medicare card or are not eligible for one, that's okay! Not having a Medicare card will not stop you from receiving support. 

Work and study support

Our work and study team can support young people aged 12–25 with employment, education and training goals.

Support may include:

• Exploring jobs, courses or training options.

• Preparing or updating a résumé.

• Completing job applications.

• Writing cover letters and addressing selection criteria.

• Building confidence and planning your next steps.

• Mentoring and ongoing support while working towards your goals.

Speak with our reception team or your headspace worker to ask how to connect with work and study support.

If you need immediate help

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or there is an immediate risk of harm, call 000 or go to the Alice Springs Hospital Emergency Department, which is open 24 hours a day.

Waiting for an appointment

At headspace, we will do our best to connect you with the right clinician as soon as possible.

You can usually see one of our doctors within a few weeks after we receive your completed referral. It may take longer to be allocated to a mental health clinician.

If your situation changes, you are feeling worse, or you become concerned about your safety while waiting, please contact us. We can review your needs and talk with you about the most appropriate support.

Single Session Therapy

To help young people receive support sooner, headspace Alice offers two Single Session Therapy (SST) appointments on each day the centre is open.

SST is a focused appointment with a mental health clinician. You can use the session to talk about one main concern, explore practical strategies, and make a plan for what happens next. For some young people, one focused session may be enough to help them move forward. Others may need further or ongoing support.

SST may be available while you are waiting to be allocated to a clinician. Ask our team whether an SST appointment may be suitable for you. Appointments are subject to availability.

SST is not a crisis or emergency service.

Support available while you wait

The following services can also support you while you wait:

• eheadspace: Free and confidential online and telephone mental health support for young people and their families. Webchat and telephone support are available from 3 pm to 10 pm every day. Register online or call 1800 650 890.

• 13YARN: Free and confidential crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yarn with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter without judgement, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 13 92 76.

• Kids Helpline: Free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling for young people aged 5–25, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1800 55 1800.

• Lifeline: Crisis support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or use Lifeline’s online chat.

• Beyond Blue: Free and confidential brief counselling by telephone or online chat, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1300 22 4636.

• Suicide Call Back Service: Free professional telephone, video and online counselling for people aged 15 and over who are affected by suicide, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1300 659 467.

• SANE Australia: Support, information and help navigating services for people aged 18 and over with complex mental health needs, as well as families and carers. Call 1800 187 263, Monday to Friday from 10 am to 8 pm AEST/AEDT.

• MensLine Australia: Free professional telephone and online support for men, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1300 78 99 78.

• Northern Territory Mental Health Line: Call 1800 682 288 for information and access to NT mental health services.

Join the headspace Mparntwe Alice Springs Youth Reference Group

Are you aged 12–25 and interested in making a difference for young people in Mparntwe Alice Springs?

The headspace Mparntwe Alice Springs Youth Reference Group (YRG) meets monthly and gives young people a genuine voice in how our centre operates. Members help make sure our services, programs, activities and community engagement reflect what matters to local young people.

What can I get involved in?

Depending on your interests, you could:

• Give feedback on headspace services and young people’s experiences of accessing support.

• Help plan local projects, events and mental health awareness activities.

• Take part in consultations, research and service evaluation.

• Contribute to mental health promotion, policy and advocacy.

• Represent headspace at community events, schools, forums or conferences.

• Help create social media content, campaigns, videos and other creative projects.

• Join focus groups or working groups on topics that matter to young people.

Your involvement is flexible. You can choose opportunities that match your interests, strengths and comfort level. There is no pressure to participate in public speaking, media or personal storytelling, and you can say no to any opportunity that does not feel right for you.

You do not need previous experience. We will provide training and support before you take on new activities.

Who can join?

YRG membership is open to young people aged 12–25.

We want the group to reflect the diversity of young people in Mparntwe Alice Springs. We welcome young people of different ages, cultures, language groups, genders, sexualities, identities and life experiences. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, LGBTQIA+ young people, and young people with lived or living experience of mental health challenges, homelessness or other issues affecting young people.

We are looking for people who:

• Are interested in youth mental health, wellbeing, or alcohol and other drug issues.

• Want to improve services and opportunities for local young people.

• Respect different cultures, identities, experiences and beliefs.

• Are willing to listen, share ideas and participate as part of a team.

• Can attend monthly meetings and stay in contact between meetings where possible.

We understand that life can change. If something affects your ability to participate, talk with us—we will be flexible and work with you.

What support and training will I receive?

Training and development opportunities may include:

• Learning about headspace and youth mental health.

• Youth Mental Health First Aid.

• Leadership and teamwork.

• Public speaking and media training.

• Safe storytelling.

• Mental health promotion.

• Alcohol and other drug awareness.

• Planning and evaluating projects.

• Co-facilitating groups and community activities.

Being part of the YRG can also help you build confidence, meet other young people, develop practical experience, and strengthen your résumé for work, university or TAFE.

Is the role paid?

YRG membership is voluntary. Members receive a gift card or voucher at each monthly meeting in recognition of their time and contribution.

Some additional projects or events may be paid opportunities. We also organise social and team-building activities, such as dinners or bowling.

What happens to our feedback?

We are committed to closing the feedback loop. We will let YRG members know how their advice has been considered, what changes have been made, and why some suggestions may not be possible or may need more time.

How do I apply?

You can:

1. Read the YRG Membership Pack and Membership Description.

2. Complete the YRG Application Form.

3. Return the form to headspace Mparntwe Alice Springs.

If you would like to learn more before applying, you—or someone supporting you—can contact Aram or Josh to arrange an informal conversation.

Young people under 16 will need consent from a parent or guardian before participating.

Download the forms

• Download the YRG Membership Pack

• Read the YRG Membership Description

• Download the YRG Application Form

How to make an appointment?

Getting started is easy. Complete a referral form and our team will contact you to arrange your first appointment.

You can complete or submit a referral form by:

• Visiting us at Shop 5, 74 Todd Street, Mparntwe Alice Springs. Our reception team can provide a form and help you complete it.

• Calling us on (08) 8958 4544.

• Emailing your completed referral form to headspace.reception@caac.org.au.

You can contact us yourself or ask a friend, family member or other trusted person to help you.

Once we receive your referral form, a member of our team will call you to discuss the next steps and arrange an initial appointment.

If you are already accessing services through headspace Mparntwe Alice Springs, call (08) 8958 4544 to book your next appointment.