Welcome to KYDS, a free and confidential support service for teens
TEENS
NEED SOME HELP?
We provide barrier-free, easily accessed counselling, provided by approachable, non-judgmental professionals. No formal referrals from doctors or school staff are needed to see us.
We are a free service and we will work with you for as long as you need.
We’re here to help you with anything!
Things like… your relationships, school, work, family and friends, as well as mental health difficulties – such as depression, anxiety and trauma.
No problem is too big or too small, talking helps,
we are here for you.
PARENTS & CARERS
ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING FAMILY CONNECTION, COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING
Parents and carers can often play a big role in supporting young people
through life’s challenges. Our professional counsellors are able to offer
guidance and strategies to help families create stronger support
structures at home.
If someone you know is struggling to cope or having a difficult time, please get in touch for a confidential discussion…
Schools
AWARD WINNING WORKSHOPS
As specialists working on the front line of adolescent mental health and wellness, KYDS has a range of early intervention workshops and information sessions ideally suited for schools and their students. Topical and non-judgemental, these sessions bring a preventative approach to many of the issues we see presenting in our counselling centres.
To enquire about a workshop for students at your school or in your community group, please call or email us today.
SUPPORT KYDS LOUD AND CLEAR CAMPAIGN
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY BANK TURRAMURRA & LINDFIELD
October is Mental Health Month! As we continue to struggle with COVID and the fall-out from lockdown, we all know that the demand for mental health support, particularly for young people, has surged to an all-time high.
Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank has heard KYDS call for help Loud and Clear!
Together we aim to raise $75,000 to cover a full-time counsellor for one year- that’s 900 more counselling sessions for these vulnerable teens. With that, we could address the current waiting list and ensure at least 50 vulnerable young people are supported. This will have a huge impact on those at-risk in our community.
Each dollar that is donated will be matched by Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank until we reach the goal of $75,000.
For more information on how to support KYDS, please get in touch.
OUR SUPPORTERS KYDS Youth Development Service is Proudly Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services
Talking helps, we’re here for you
Any issue. Any time. If you’re ready to talk about it, we’re ready to help.
ABOUT KYDS
People of all ages everywhere struggle with stress. But the rapid pace of life, and its many pressures are particularly hard on young people who are just starting to find their way.
In 2003, Lindfield Rotary became aware that an increasing number of young people in Ku-ring-gai were struggling with mental health issues, including the stigma associated with it. Sadly, there weren’t any local services available to help these young people.
Lindfield Rotary raised the funds and partnered with Ku-ring-gai Council to establish KYDS – a free, local, and confidential counselling service for children and young people. On 31 March 2005 KYDS opened its doors with one counsellor, who operated at the library in Lindfield. KYDS supported 36 young people in its first year.
Over the following 15 years, many other parts of the community also provided support to KYDS allowing it to grow and meet increasing demand.
Today, a team of 18 passionate and qualified mental health professionals support young people to work through their challenges and to help them to achieve their potential. Over the past year, we provided 5462 counselling sessions to more than 400 young people.
KYDS help young people understand, and manage, difficult issues in their lives. We do this by providing easily accessed, personalised counselling and mental health support services, family counselling, and early intervention wellbeing workshops and information events.
We ensure issues such as grief, loss, family breakups, friendship problems, school and study stress, addictions, risky behaviour, anger, bullying, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug use, body image concerns, mental health concerns, self-harm and suicidal thoughts do not overwhelm young people.