Why Information?
If you have come to the headspace website looking for advice and information about dealing with issues that you or a friend might be facing - you are not alone. Did you know that 20% of young people turn to the internet as their first step on the pathway to getting help?
That's why we at headspace have put a lot of time and effort into making sure the information we provide is trustworthy, reliable and accurate. Our materials are regularly checked by health professionals.
To find our fact sheets on a range of topics, head to the mental health or drug and alcohol tabs in this section. Parents and carers
should also visit their area, as it takes a different look at the same issues.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
- If there is a topic we haven't covered, you can email and tell us on info@headspace.org.au
- Don't forget to look for the links to recommended websites as there are a lot of good sites out there.
- Check out our 'Ask an Expert' section where we are running monthly online forums with health experts on different topics. You can post questions to this section ahead of the event.
Don't like to read?
If reading isn't your thing then look for the video content spread throughout the site. You can hear from other young people who have been there - see real experiences.
People use the word depression in different ways. We all feel down or sad from time to time. It’s just part of being human. But, it’s important to know when depression is becoming a problem.
Anxiety disorders are common. Anxiety is another word to describe worry. It is an unpleasant emotion that we all feel when we are faced with challenges.
The word psychosis is used to describe symptoms that affect a person’s beliefs, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Psychosis can cause someone to misinterpret or confuse what is going on around them.
Alcohol is a depressant. This means that it will slow down your coordination and judgement and your response time, but it will not necessarily make you feel depressed.
The effects of cannabis are often associated with being sedative and hallucinogenic. This means that the drug can provide a state of relaxation, sleepiness and/or leave you seeing reality in a distorted way.
Because amphetamines are a synthetic (i.e. not plant-based) substance, and are made illegally the ingredients used to make the drugs can be variable and unknown, leading to different purities of the drug which increases both the risk of overdose and negative effects of taking the drug
Australian researchers have studied a number of mental health issues that affect young people, including depression, substance use, psychosis, bipolar disorder and personality. This research shows that getting help early, or early intervention, is crucial.
Want to ask questions of a professional with specific knowledge and experience in certain topics?
We would like to hear from you.