People arrive at First Step with all of their life experiences – trauma, poor mental or physical health, legal issues, addiction, or housing insecurity.
We know that chronic addiction is often a long-term, painful response to childhood trauma, abuse and neglect. Our team works across mental health, addiction and legal services to share the load, so clients don’t have to do it alone.
The journey is rarely smooth, but together, we know we can make a difference.
First Step is a not-for-profit addiction, mental health and legal services hub in St Kilda, Melbourne.
We provide free services to thousands of vulnerable Victorians every year, with the firm belief that everybody deserves every chance to turn their lives around.
First Step provides a uniquely multi-disciplinary team of GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, lawyers, mental health nurses, care coordinators, counsellors, men’s and women’s groups.
All for free. All from one team. All at one site.
First Step’s General Practitioners (GPs) form the core of the support team, providing primary care, planning and referral. They may work with the client on:
• Replacement pharmacotherapy (methadone, buprenorphine, suboxone or...
The Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme provides vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a non-financial way of paying off their fine debt, by participating in certain activities and treatment.
A person must...
Flexible Funding Brokerage (FFB) is a program designed to support people with severe mental illness overcome financial barriers to social inclusion. FFB funds the purchase of items and services to help clients...
ResetLife is a free, abstinence-based, alcohol and drug treatment program, based on the Matrix Treatment Model.
It involves 16 weeks of structured, intensive, outpatient treatment, followed by 36 weeks of continuing care....
First Step’s mental health services include flexible support for people with moderate to severe mental illness, and can include mental health nursing, psychological counselling, care coordination and psychiatry.
Mental Health Integrated Complex...
“I reached out to First Step in desperation when I needed to see a doctor. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t able to help?
The First Step team treated me so well, they were so nice and friendly and welcoming and it makes a world of difference to be treated that way. And it wasn’t just me, I overheard them speaking on the phone to other people as well as saw them interact with other patients as they came and went and they treated everyone with the same amount of respect and it was just so nice to see.
I am sure you are already aware but you have a wonderful bunch of people working there. It makes a world of difference to be treated well and I just wanted to let you know.”
- First Step client
September 08, 2023
First Step is proud to support a Yes vote in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum. In the video below, CEO Patrick Lawrence talks about our position, and encourages our community to engage respectfully in the debate.
Read MoreSeptember 08, 2023
The Road Home Project helps people living in crisis accommodation by providing mental health, medical and legal services where they are, and when they need it the most. This three-year pilot project is funded by philanthropy* and is designed to test how First Step...
Read MoreSeptember 08, 2023
In 2021, First Step Legal (FSL) commenced a partnership with Better Health Network where we provided legal services to both victim survivors and perpetrators of family violence. From the start, our work highlighted the need for a distinct approach to providing legal assistance to...
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