At KYDS, we believe every day is worth supporting – and that includes the people doing the parenting, not just the young people they’re raising.

That’s why we’re excited to launch Connected Parenting, a new one-on-one counselling program designed specifically for parents and carers who want to feel more grounded, confident and connected in their parenting journey.

KYDS is pleased to announce the launch of our Young Adults Counselling program, supporting individuals up to the age of 24 during a stage of life that can often involve significant change and uncertainty.

This new, low-fee offering reflects our continued commitment to improving ongoing access to mental health support for young people in our community.

At KYDS, we know that supporting youth mental health means supporting the entire family network. That is why we are thrilled to open registrations for our upcoming Parent Information Series, running throughout June and July.

This series offers evidence-based guidance to help parents confidently navigate the modern complexities of raising adolescents. Whether you are struggling with screen-time battles, feeling disconnected from your teenager, or looking for ways to handle intense emotional outbursts, these workshops provide a safe, collaborative space to find answers.

Through a generous contribution of more than $27,000, Community Bank Lindfield is helping ensure that over 150 young people can access the counselling support they need—at a time when demand continues to rise, and waitlists are growing.

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? KYDS is inviting volunteers to support our upcoming events and initiatives.

We’re proud to share an important milestone: KYDS has officially achieved accreditation against the new National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations (NSQMHSCMO).

We’re pleased to share that KYDS was recently awarded a $1,000 Director’s Grant, generously provided by Community Bank Lindfield. The funding will be used to support specialised training for our counselling team, helping us continue to deliver high-quality, accessible mental health support to young people.

On 27 October, KYDS hosted a Boardroom Lunch at EY, Sydney, bringing together 18 leaders from business, health, education, and philanthropy to explore collaborative ways to expand access to free, long-term mental health support for young people.

Thanks to the outstanding generosity of our community, sponsors, and supporters, the KYDS 20th Birthday Gala Dinner on Saturday 20 September raised more than $100,000 – enough to fund over 465 counselling sessions. This incredible support will ensure young people aged 10–18, and their families, can continue to access free, ongoing mental health care whenever they need it most.

Parenting is one of life’s most meaningful journeys – but it can also feel overwhelming. Between the daily rush and emotional challenges, it’s easy to lose sight of calm, clarity and connection. Thanks to Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, we’re pleased to now offer Lower North Shore parents access to free, one-on-one counselling sessions that create space to reconnect with the parent they want to be.

This week the KYDS team joined the national conversation for R U OK? Day – with plenty of yellow on display! From cupcakes and chiffon cake to bright outfits and conversation starters, it was a simple but powerful reminder that asking “Are you OK?” – and really listening to the answer – can make a world of difference.

In July, KYDS proudly hosted a series of free Parent Information Sessions in Mandarin, supporting local Mandarin-speaking parents and carers to better understand and support their young people’s mental health. We’re grateful to the Help St Foundation for making these sessions possible.

We were honoured to be part of the Officeworks Make a Difference Appeal in June, with every donation at checkout from selected stores going directly to KYDS. Thanks to the Officeworks NSW Area 5 team and the generosity of the community, more than $35,000 was raised to provide more young people with free, ongoing mental health support.

Discover our latest Impact Report, highlighting the meaningful difference we’ve made in the lives of young people and their families throughout 2024. Thanks to our generous supporters and amazing team for making these outcomes possible.

We’re proud to share that two of our team members, Mary Santiago and Rochelle Geeves, were recently recognised by Ku-ring-gai Rotary Club for their outstanding contributions to our community.

As KYDS Youth Counselling marks its 20th anniversary in 2025, we take a moment to reflect on our journey – a story of vision, resilience and community spirit. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a vital support network for young people and their families, ensuring accessible, long-term mental health care for those who need it most.

In an impressive display of community spirit and philanthropy, Pymble Ladies’ College junior students participated in the 2024 Lindfield Fun Run, forming a team of 149 runners. They raised $3,596 for local charities, winning the KYDS Schools Challenge with the most registrations and highest fundraising. The Lindfield Fun Run, organised by Ku-ring-gai Rotary Club, supports KYDS Youth Counselling, which provides free, confidential mental health services.

Learn more about the ‘forgotten middle’, the gap in mental health care that is being serviced by KYDS, and why there needs to be more support for organisations like ours.