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: Reach Out
Young people, parents, carers or schools can make contact Sonder Youth by email to get started (see bellow).
Step 2: Getting Connected
Our Mental Health Support Officer (MHSO) will reply within 2 weeks and will send through an Initial Connection Form to learn more from you about what support may look like with us.
Step 3: Phone Call
Once we receive your form and determine the service feel like a right fit, the MHSO will organise a phone call with you to answer any questions you may have, clarify details, and arrange session dates, times, and locations.
Step 5: Review
We will discuss an exit plan, light follow-up, or referral if needed.
Step 4: Support
Short term support offering goal focused, strengths based sessions tailored to the young person.
Available from Kiama to Nowra on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school
To get started sent through an email with the following:
Your first name
Your age
Your contact number
You do not need to share everything straight away, only what feels comfortable for you.
Email: sid@sonderyouth.com
Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Officer
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
