Sonder Youth provides mental health support for young people aged 12 - 15.
Our mental health support service focuses on prevention and early intervention, supporting young people to build resilience, strengthen wellbeing, and take positive steps forward.
Young people will work with Sonder’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer in one-to-one, weekly/fortnightly sessions.
The service is suitable for young people experiencing stress, mild-moderate anxiety, low mood, friendship/peer difficulties, school-related stress, identity and confidence challenges.
Support sessions will focus on:
Building emotional regulation skills
Strengthening confidence & Identity
Improving coping strategies
Supporting social connection
Reducing or managing stress
Our Mental Health Support Service is available in Kiama and Nowra, and sessions are $55.
Mental Health Support Sessions
What this service is not:
To ensure clarity and safety, this service does not provide:
Crisis Response
Long-term therapy
Psychiatric assessment/diagnosis
Drug and Alcohol treatment
Eating disorder treatment
Specialised interventions
To address any of the matters above we strongly advise seeking further support. For urgent or crisis support:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
Emergency: 000
How it works
Step 1: Enquiry
Young people, parents, carers or schools can make contact and complete our initial connection form.
Step 3: Support
Short term support offering goal focused, strengths based sessions tailored to the young person.
Step 2: Consultation
We will contact within two weeks by phone to inform you of the outcome of your initial connection form. During the call, we will also have a brief conversation about your goals and book a date and time that suits you best.
Step 4: Review
We will discuss an exit plan, light follow-up, or referral if needed.
Available from Kiama to Nowra on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school
Location and type of session will be determined in the booking process.
Hi, I’m Sid - Sonder’s Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Officer supporting young people across the Kiama and Nowra areas.
I am a qualified social worker and I provide early intervention support so that young people have the opportunity to access and find the right support at the right time.
Having grown up on the South Coast and experiencing my own difficulties of navigating this big world, I find myself thriving in environments where I can manage my own wellbeing whilst supporting others in their journey.
There are many things that I love to do, but mostly all things I love are either ocean or bush based. I look forward to working alongside you to be the change you wish to see.
Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Officer
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes. What young people share in sessions is treated as confidential.
There are some limitations to confidentiality. If there are serious concerns about safety, such as a risk of harm to the young person or to someone else, or concerns about abuse or neglect, we are legally required to share information with the appropriate services to help keep people safe.
Where possible we will explain what needs to be shared and involve the young person in that process.
-
For young people under the age of 18 a parent or guardian’s consent is required. We aim to balance the young persons right to privacy with appropriate family involvement and will discuss this during our over the phone consultation.
-
Typically, support is offered for approximately 8-10 sessions, depending on goals, needs and availability. Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure the support remains appropriate.
-
If, during our sessions, it becomes clear that more intensive, specialist, or ongoing support is required we will:
Discuss this with you and your child
Provide appropriate referral options
Support a warm handover where possible
We maintain referral pathways to local mental health specialists, GP’s and community services.
