Bendigo
At YSAS Bendigo, we understand that asking for help isn’t always easy.
Our specialist Youth Workers and Nurse are here to assist you in setting your own goals, at your own pace. – no pressure, no judgment.
Our team provides free and confidential support young people aged 12–25 across the City of Greater Bendigo who are experiencing challenges with alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Whether you’re looking to make changes, stay safe, or just talk things through, we’re happy to help.
We’re happy to meet you where you feel most comfortable—at home, in the community or at our office.
We know life is often complex so alongside AOD support we can also assist in areas such as mental health, family and relationships, community connections, education and employment.
Our office is at 8 King Street, Bendigo (just off Mitchell Street, near Target). We’re easy to access and close to public transport. If you’re visiting, press the buzzer and one of our friendly team will come and greet you.
Want to have a confidential chat or make a referral?
- Visit us at 8 King Street, Bendigo
- Call us on (03) 5444 2969
- Open Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Referrals can be made by young people themselves, or by family members or professionals with the young person’s consent.
8 King Street
Bendigo, VIC 3550
(03) 5444 2969
Services:
Outreach
Outreach support is flexible in lots of different ways.
Outreach means YSAS drug and alcohol workers can come to you. They will meet you in your own space or in your own community; wherever you feel safe.
Outreach workers support you how you want to be supported and make sure that the help you get is matched to your needs.
If you’re between 12 – 25 years and have problems with your drug and/or alcohol use an outreach worker can help by:
• Assessing your needs and making a support plan with you
• Alcohol and other drugs support and education
• Referrals and linkages
• Practical support (getting Centrelink sorted, organising a doctor’s appointment)
• Family support
• General counselling
• Justice support
• Harm minimisation
Outreach is a good option if you:
• Have a lot of other things going on in your life as well as use of drugs and alcohol
• Need practical support to get stuff sorted while working on your drug and alcohol use
• Find it hard to make it to an office to catch up with a worker
Things to think about
Sometimes you will still need to organise an appointment to meet up with your outreach worker. The appointment may be in the office or somewhere in the community that you feel comfortable.
Home-Based Withdrawal & Mental Health Nursing Support
If you’re aged 12–25 and want to withdraw from alcohol and/or other drugs while staying at home or in a safe, stable place (like with family or friends), our Home-Based Withdrawal program could be a great fit for you.
Our nurses provide outreach support, meaning they can come to you. They don’t just support you through withdrawal—they’re also trained in mental health care. This means they can help you manage things like anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health concerns alongside your AOD recovery.
This program might be right for you if you:
Have a safe and supportive place to stay during withdrawal
Are dealing with both AOD use and mental health challenges
Have other ongoing health issues
Take complex medications
Are on pharmacotherapy (like Methadone or Buprenorphine)
Are pregnant and using substances
Family Support
The family specialist role is like a regular youth outreach worker who has scope to work with you and your family, caregivers or other important in your life.
This service is available to young people who engage with YSAS and provide consent for the family worker to provide this support.
We provide support with:
- Identifying strengths and goals
- Family or caregivers understanding drug use and adolescent development
- Family meetings to work as a team and understand each other’s perspective and improve relationships