how do I make a referral to headspace?

Referring someone to headspace South West Victoria is easy! Young people can contact us directly, or family, friends, schools or other agencies can help with the referral.

Self referral for young people

You can phone our friendly intake team to talk confidentially about your worries on 1300 276 749 or you can call in at the Youth and Community Complex at 210 Timor Street Warrnambool and talk to someone face to face.  We are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.  You are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you for support if you like :)

Referrals from family and friends

If you are a family member worried about your child or a young person worried about a friend, we can help you to help them.  It is important the young person knows about the referral and is OK about meeting with one of our youthworkers, so talk with them first and let them know you want to seek help.  Then just give our intake team a ring on 1300 276 749 and we can make a time to meet with them.  Let the young person know they are welcome to bring you or another support person with them if they would like.   

If you aren't sure how to raise the issue in the first place with the young person, our intake team can give you some ideas to try. 

Referrals from GPs

GPs can refer young people to headspace for general support or to access our Allied Health Team.     We will need a referral letter and a copy of the Mental Health Treatment Plan for the young person to access Allied Health Practitoners (Psychologists, Occupational Therapist).  If you are unsure the young person is ready for therapeutic counselling, our youthworkers can provide general counselling and support - a MHTP is not required for this.  We will keep you informed about engagement and intervention so you can confidently monitor their mental wellbeing. 

If you would like support to refer a young person, please contact Louisa our Practice Manager on 5561 8860.   Alternatively, feel free to use our GP referral form if you wish.  It can be downloaded here: 

Referrals from schools and agencies

If you are working with a client you believe would benefit from headspace support you can make a referral either by phone or in writing - whichever is easiest.  It is important to talk with the young person first and ensure they are OK about meeting with a youthworker from headspace. 

As you will be aware, the more information you have permission to share with us, the less the young person will have to tell their story over again.  We underake a comprehensive psycho-social assessment with young people that explores family background, education and employment, home environment, substance use, emotional state etc, so please, share as much information as you can. 

Contact our intake team on 1300 276 479 to make a time for the young person to meet with us.  Please let the young person know they can bring a family member, friend or other support person (including you!) with them if they would like.  If you think the young person would be more comfortable meeting with us at your school or agency, we may be able to do this - just talk with our Intake Team.

If you would like to make a written referral please feel free to download our referral form here:

What happens to my information when I come to headspace?

When a young person comes to South West Victoria headspace they will be asked to fill in forms about such things as privacy and confidentiality, who we can and cannot share information with, consenting to participate in our service/programs, etc. 

Attached below are the some of the forms we currently use.