headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation provides early intervention mental health services online and in person to young people and their families. headspace's Work & Study Service Online is a critical component of headspace’s core streams, as vocational engagement is well documented in improving mental health outcomes for adolescents. The Work and Study Online service works to reduce the length of time young people are disengaged from work or study, providing purpose, connection, and structure.
Young people in rural and remote communities experience significant barriers to help seeking, connection, and therefore the opportunity to build mental health literacy. These barriers are further compounded for young people who belong to one or more of headspace’s priority groups: young men, First Nations, LGBTQIA+, culturally and linguistically diverse, those experiencing homelessness, or alcohol and other drug users.
Engagement with these cohorts often begins with practical goals around work or study and creating rapport for early conversations about wellbeing. For many, this vocational support is their first experience with a support service. Our approach incorporates strong clinical integration, consultation with first nations staff and care collaboration with diverse professionals. This ensures young people receive coordinated, wrap around support, regardless of their postcode.

This presentation will demonstrate how a digital soft entry service can reduce isolation and enhance early intervention for rural and remote young people in these priority groups.

• Overview of the headspace Work & Study Online Service
• A worked example of a young person’s journey across an episode of care
• Referral pathways demonstrating clinical integration and service connection