We keep people connected to their families, participating in society and taking control of their own lives.
First Step is an addiction, mental health and legal services hub supporting over 1,800 vulnerable Victorians every year.
All for free. All from one team. All at one site.
Our team consists of GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, lawyers, mental health nurses, care coordinators, counsellors and psycho-social supports.
We get to know our clients and see them as individuals with their own history and future, with vulnerabilities and strengths, with pain and hope.
Then we stay with them, for as long as they need, and provide them with all the help they want and need.
But we can only do this with your support.
We receive no state government funding to deliver our health services and rely on the generosity of our community to provide care to our unfunded clients, fill the funding gaps, and support innovation and growth.
Give a life changing gift today.
Gift Connection
$
30
Gift $30 of phone credit to make sure that someone's next telehealth appointment isn’t missed.
Gift Nutrition
$
50
Basic food and essentials are often the first things to go when mental health declines. $50 food vouchers can make a difference to someone taking control of their life.
Gift Wellbeing
$
100
No one should have to decide between paying for food or life-changing medication. Remove this impossible choice with a months’ worth of medication for $100.
Gift Safety
$
130
Accommodation is invaluable to those in crisis. Secure someone’s shelter in an emergency for as little as $130.
Gift Understanding
$
220
Mental health is more important than ever. For $220, you can secure 1 month of mental health support for someone in need.
Gift Health
$
880
Four months of comprehensive counselling for $880 gives our clients the ultimate chance to turn their lives around.
Help in another way
One Time Donation
How gifting wellbeing, made a difference in Ahmed's life
Ahmed is an asylum seeker. He has been in Australia for 8 years with no family or friends to support him. Like many asylum seekers, the trauma he experienced is unimaginable. And for Ahmed, this trauma has had an enormous impact on his mental health and made him sick to his stomach. Literally.
Although he is eligible for treatment under Medicare, without a job or income Ahmed cannot afford to pay for the medications he needs to help improve his mood, decrease anxiety, and panic, and manage his flashbacks. He also needs medication to manage his gut issues that have been debilitating and stopped him from eating.
We have been able to support him with the medications he needs, whilst working through his visa status and organising tests and treatments to resolve his stomach problems. This medication has elevated his mood and immediately improved his quality of life.
Ahmed is so grateful for our support, he has promised to cook the staff a wonderful feast of traditional foods from his home country when he is feeling better. And we can’t wait!
Every day, our clients wants to know that they are safe, that they belong, and that they matter. they want to feel connected to the people around them, to their community. You can help make that happen.
“
First step is a home that never judges. It's a place I feel welcomed and the workers genuinely care for their patients and only want to see the best for them. They have helped me tremendously.
“
I struggled every day with substance abuse. I hit a wall and thought I had no place to go, then I found First Step. The team here get it – they’re non-judgemental, they’re caring and the best thing I ever did was sign up and join this family.
“
The ResetLife program has been instrumental in me developing a level of internal and external manageability that I have never had in my life. I am now alcohol and drug free and have been able to shift an overwhelmingly negative view of my life by looking internally at my thinking, behaviours and belief systems.
“
First step is a home that never judges. It's a place I feel welcomed and the workers genuinely care for their patients and only want to see the best for them. They have helped me tremendously.
“
I struggled every day with substance abuse. I hit a wall and thought I had no place to go, then I found First Step. The team here get it – they’re non-judgemental, they’re caring and the best thing I ever did was sign up and join this family.
“
The ResetLife program has been instrumental in me developing a level of internal and external manageability that I have never had in my life. I am now alcohol and drug free and have been able to shift an overwhelmingly negative view of my life by looking internally at my thinking, behaviours and belief systems.
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Thank you for joining our First Step community
First Step is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Eligible tax-deductible donations have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Tax Office. ABN: 51 093 661 995
Phone us: (03) 9537 3177 Email us:
info@firststep.org.au.
