Child & Youth Mental Health Service
For people up to 24 years of age
The Alfred Child & Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) offers a co-ordinated mental health service for young people and their families.
What we do
For families and young people living in the municipalities of Port Phillip, Stonnington and Glen Eira, services are available for people aged 0-25.
For families and young people living in the municipalities of Bayside and Kingston, services are available for people aged 0-18.
A range of community services are available to assist families and young people with mental health problems. These services include, but are not limited to:
- general practitioners
- school counsellors
- community health centres
- headspace
Young people, children and families who use CYMHS services have often tried some of these services and come to CYMHS when problems have persisted or have not resolved.
Who we care for
CYMHS can help children and young people who:
- feel excessively anxious, worried, unhappy or shy
- are having difficulty controlling impulses and/or anger, mood swings or depression
- have problems with sleeping or eating regularly
- experience physical complaints that could be caused by emotional stress
- are having difficulties with relationships
- are having difficulties with learning, concentration, thinking clearly or remembering things
- are distressed from a traumatic incident or have experience of abuse
- have unusual experiences such as hearing voices, seeing strange things or things seem different
- have thoughts of self- harm or suicide
- experience a loss of enjoyment or motivation
- notice changes in personality
- have family or friends who have expressed concern about behaviour changes
What to expect
When you contact Alfred CYMHS an intake worker will talk with you and ask for more details about your situation. Intake workers are clinical staff from a range of health professionals. They will ask some questions and explore with you the most appropriate service for your needs. They will also answer any questions you may have about CYMHS or other services on offer.
The intake worker will then recommend options available to you. Options could include making an appointment with a CYMHS health professional or a referral to another service.
If you require an appointment at CYMHS, a member of the team will contact you to offer an appointment. Appointments at CYMHS are made based on urgency. It is important that you let the intake worker know if your situation changes and a more urgent response is needed.
At this appointment you and the health professional will together establish the next steps. We may recommend:
- counselling to help manage problems
- furthers meetings over weeks or months to work on difficulties
- specific assessments or therapies
Depending on your circumstances and preference, you may come to see us only once or more frequently.
Commonly asked questions
Who works at Alfred CYMHS?
The CYMHS team is a multidisciplinary team and includes mental health care professionals with extensive expertise. These include occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, speech pathologists and child and adult psychiatrists.
Cost?
There are not costs involved with Alfred CYMHS.
How do I get to CYMHS?
The nearest railway is Moorabbin station.
Bus routes 911, 812, 823, 824 and 825 terminate at Moorabbin station.
A small amount of one hour parking is available adjacent to the building and longer term parking is available in streets adjacent.
What if I need an interpreter?
If English is not your preferred language an interpreter can be arranged. Please notify us before your appointment as interpreters need to be booked in advance.
A telephone interpreter can also be arranged by phoning the Telephone Information Service 131 450 and asking them to contact Alfred CYMHS on (03) 8662 0555.
If I am a carer, family member or friend, can I participate?
At CYMHS we encourage you to tell us what is important to you about using our service. Our Family/Carer Consultant works to foster participation of families, friends and carers. You are invited to contact them to discuss ways of becoming more involved at CYMHS.
Is my information kept confidential?
All personal information you provide is treated in a highly confidential manner consistent with State and Commonwealth legislation. Only in extreme circumstances involving threat to safety would personal information be shared with other health or welfare services.
What happens if I am in an emergency situation after hours?
In emergency situations week days after 5pm and before 9am and on weekends, you can contact us:
- Call 1300 363 746 if you live in the cities of Port Phillip, Stonnington or Glen Eira
- Call 1300 369 012 if you live in the cities of Glen Eira, Bayside or Kingston
How to access this service
Contact us directly
Family, carers, case managers and patients can contact us directly to access our services.
What to bring
Every time you come
- Medicare card
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
- Medicines you need to take while you are here
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
- Glasses, hearing aid, walking frame
For a clinic appointment
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- TAC or Workcover claim number (if relevant)
Our clinics
| Clinic name | Campus | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Infant and Preschool Program | In the community | 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin |
| Eating Disorders Program | In the community | 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin |
| Single Session Family Consultation | In the community | 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin |
| Early Intervention Mobile Outreach Service (EIMOS) | In the community | 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin |
| Neurodevelopmental stream | In the community | 999 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin |
Resources
All patient resources-
Child and Youth Directory
Child and youth services covering the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston, Port Phillip and Stonnington
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headspace
Assisting young people and families to find the right help for problems affecting wellbeing
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Beyond Blue
A guide to mental health problems and support available
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Mental Health Australia
The peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector
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Alfred Health - Carer Services for Mental Health Carers Brochure
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Alfred Health - Mental Health Carer and Family Support Groups Brochure
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Mental Health First Aid
First aid information and courses for mental health problems
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Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia Inc
Information and support about psychosis or other mental illness for yourself or someone you care about
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Children and Parents with Mental Illness
Resources and information to children, parents, family and friends and health professionals on how to respond to the needs of parents with mental illness
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Sane Australia
A national charity helping all Australians affected by mental illness
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Reach Out
A website for getting young people through tough times
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Tandem
The peak body for families and carers of people in Victoria experiencing mental ill health
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Young Carers
For young carers who help care in families where someone has an illness, a disability, a mental health issue or who has an alcohol or other drug problem