Support For Young People
If you’re between the ages of 12-25 and want to make some changes to your alcohol or drug use, we can help.
Our services are free and confidential. A Medicare card is not required.
What you can do right now
Reach out to our friendly team either by phone or our online contact form. Otherwise, you can ask your school or doctor, or other people you might be getting support from, to make a referral with you.
If you’re over 14, we won’t need to talk to your parents or anyone else unless you want us to.
Once you’ve made contact, we’ll arrange a time to chat about how we can help.
What’s it like to come to SDECC?
- Who you are
- How things are going for you
- What's going well in life and what you might wish was different
- What will happen next
It’s up to you what you want to share and what you don’t.
Elevate Group Program for Young People
In addition to our individual counselling services, SDECC offers a three-week group program called Elevate, which we run in partnership with schools and youth services.
For professionals interested in learning more about how to access or host the Elevate Group, click here.
Online Learning
Effective Conversations About Substance Use.
In this course, parents and guardians can develop conversation skills in an interactive module.
What young people say
We have permission from our clients to share a few of their comments about SDECC’s services.
FAQ
Are drugs or alcohol a problem for me?
These are some of things that people struggling with alcohol or drug use find or feel. If you answer yes to any of these, you could probably benefit from support.
- Are drugs or alcohol causing me to feel or be unhealthy? Is it impacting my body?
- Do drugs or alcohol make it harder for me to do things I want to do? (e.g school or uni work, keep my house tidy, spend time with friends who aren't using or drinking, play sport, do other stuff I used to enjoy)
- Am I struggling to go to work or uni or school?
- Am I finding it difficult to do what others need me to do? (e.g. keep my promises, get things done on time, show up to things)
- Are other people telling me that my alcohol or drug use is worrying them or causing problems?
What do people say about SDECC?
We have permission from our clients to share a few of their comments about sdecc’s services.
“Friendly and helpful.”
“Awesome!”
“I tell my friends they should go.”
“sdecc helped me through some really tough times.”
“sdecc is a warm and safe place.”
Is the information shared with sdecc counsellors confidential?
Yes! sdecc takes the confidentiality of our clients very seriously, and we know privacy is something you’re worried about, too. We will not share your information or anything you’ve said to us with family members or other professionals without your permission, unless we believe you are or someone else is at significant risk of harm.
How much do SDECC services cost?
Nothing. We provide all our services for free. You don’t even need a Medicare card.
Will you tell my parents what I say?
No, not unless you want us to. Provided you’re 14 or over, it’s up to you. SDECC is a place for you to talk about whatever you want. We might support your parents separately with how the situation may be affecting them, but we won’t tell them what you say.
If I come to SDECC, will you tell me I have to stop using drugs or drinking alcohol?
No, we won’t tell you that you need to do anything. Everyone is different. It’s about working out what is best for you. You set your own goals, we just help you to think them through.
