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The Brief Interventions Trial

On a downer?

Alcohol, cannabis and other drug use can have a negative impact on your emotional health.

We need volunteers with symptoms of depression or anxiety who are regularly using alcohol or cannabis to receive free treatment as part of a research trial 

You could be eligible to participate if you:

  • are having problems with your mood (e.g. feeling down, sad, or depressed) &/or anxiety (e.g. feeling worried, nervous, stressed or panicky)
  • and have used any cannabis &/or alcohol in the past month
  • are aged 15 – 25 years

If you’re unsure if you meet this criteria feel free to give us a call to discuss this with us.

What is the study about?
The Brief Intervention Trial is investigating whether 1-3 sessions of specialist counseling improves emotional health and reduces substance use in young people with depression or anxiety-related symptoms AND substance use.

Participants in the trial will receive either:

  • 1-2 sessions of ‘self-help’; OR
  • 2-3 sessions of specialist counseling services.

One month later you will be offered up to a 12 sessions of free specialist counseling, if required.

What do I have to do?
Before starting treatment, you will be asked to complete some questions about your emotional health and substance use. This ‘assessment’ takes about 15-20 minutes. After 1, 3 and 6 months you will be re-contacted and asked to complete the same questions. All participants will be reimbursed $$$ for time involved in completing these assessments.

What else do I need to know?

  • All treatment sessions are FREE and there is no waiting list to take part
  • A Mental Health Care Plan or referral from a GP is NOT required to participate
  • Sessions provided are NOT delivered under the Medicare mental health items, therefore participants can access up to an additional 12 sessions per year through Medicare
  • All sessions are delivered by registered clinical psychologists experienced in co-occurring substance use and depression/anxiety

Where we are:
80B Harvester Road, Sunshine (Inside the VISY Cares Hub)

Who do I contact?
If you want to find out more about the trial or want to get involved, contact the research team directly:

Alternatively, you can contact headspace Western Melbourne directly on (03) 9091 8222

All responses are confidential and you will be reimbursed for your time

You may find it helpful to read the Frequently Asked Questions section if you are looking for more information about the study