The First Step Program

The First Step Program First Step is a not-for-profit addiction, mental health and legal services hub in Melbourne. All for free. All from one team. All at one site.

We provide free services to thousands of vulnerable Victorians every year. First Step provides a uniquely multi-disciplinary team of GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, lawyers, mental health nurses, care coordinators, counsellors, and peer group educators. Many of our clients live stable lives, connected with family, work and education. But our multi-disciplinary team specialises in supporting people with complex needs, those at risk of hospitalisation for their mental health, imprisonment, homelessness, or worse. At First Step we believe that chronic addiction is generally a long-term, painful adaptation to childhood abuse and neglect, and that timely and effective treatment is a matter of social justice that benefits all of society. We work to keep people connected to their families, participating in society and taking control of their own lives. Learn more about our work at www.firststep.org.au. COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

The First Step Program page provides a space for people to find out more about First Step, as well as to encourage discussion about important issues like substance use disorders and mental illness. First Step monitors its social media pages between 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays only. First Step posts are occasionally automatically generated outside of these hours and on Victorian public holidays, if this occurs the posts will not be moderated until the following business day between 9am to 5pm. Please be respectful of all points of view and refrain from personal attacks on other users and people who may be featured in our posts. First Step will remove any posts which:

• are likely to be offensive to other readers;
• discuss methods or depicts images of su***de or self-harm;
• discuss drug usage in an unbalanced way, e.g. omit the negative effects;
• contain unhelpful advice, such as blaming a person for their alcohol or other drug use;
• are dogmatic, such as setting out courses of action as “the only way”;
• are racist, sexist, trans/bi/homophobic or in any other way discriminatory;
• are obscene, or uses graphic sexual language;
• are defamatory, or overly critical of services or organisations which provide help to others;
• are likely to cause harm/distress to other people reading the story;
• are posted for commercial purposes; or
• promote inaccurate, inappropriate or harmful health advice. Users who repeatedly violate the above conditions may be blocked from the First Step page. The First Step page does not provide counselling or crisis services. If you need immediate assistance, please call the National Home Doctor Service on 13 74 25. In an emergency situation, please call 000. If a post on any First Step social media page indicates a person may be at risk of harm, First Step will reply to the post as soon as possible and provide information on counselling and crisis support services. In some instances, First Step may report a post which indicates a person may be at risk of harm to authorities, including the police. First Step can take no responsibility for comments from followers on the First Step social media pages.

There’s still time to make twice the impact.Every dollar you give before 24 December will be matched and doubled by a ge...
21/12/2025

There’s still time to make twice the impact.

Every dollar you give before 24 December will be matched and doubled by a generous local supporter.

Your gift helps someone like Emma feel seen, supported and safe.

Please donate today: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

Last year, First Step provided more than 15,000 appointments to over 1,600 people, all free of charge.Each appointment r...
20/12/2025

Last year, First Step provided more than 15,000 appointments to over 1,600 people, all free of charge.

Each appointment represents someone finding safety, connection and support when they needed it most.

That’s the power of compassion and community in action.

Please donate today to support our life changing work: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

Every day at First Step, our doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived-experience workers share updates, insight...
19/12/2025

Every day at First Step, our doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived-experience workers share updates, insights and ideas so each person in our care gets the support they need that day.

There’s no silos, just a group of people working side by side, focused on safety, dignity and what matters most to our clients.

This is the quiet work that makes the biggest difference.

It’s teamwork that changes lives.

Please donate today: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

PLUS: your gift today will be matched and doubled by a generous local supporter.

Victoria has released its first-ever Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy - a long-awaited and welcome step for our sector.I...
18/12/2025

Victoria has released its first-ever Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy - a long-awaited and welcome step for our sector.

In this month’s CEO blog, Patrick reflects on what it gets right, where it aligns with First Step’s approach, and why investment now really matters.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Strategy

After 55 years as a GP, the wonderful, passionate and tireless Dr John Sherman retires today.From St Kilda to Footscray ...
17/12/2025

After 55 years as a GP, the wonderful, passionate and tireless Dr John Sherman retires today.

From St Kilda to Footscray and back to St Kilda at First Step, John has provided expert, compassionate and often life-saving care to tens of thousands of people, some of whom he supported for decades.

First Step has been a much richer place because of John. Our clients benefited not only from his clinical expertise, but from the welcome, the advice, the friendly handshake and the steady, non-judgemental presence he brought, even in the most difficult moments.

Given the nature of his work, particularly in alcohol and other drug medicine, it’s impossible to measure the full impact, but it’s almost certain John saved many lives. He also helped ease suffering, support families, keep people connected to work or study, and rebuild social connections.

Everyone at First Step, along with countless current and former clients, wishes John a rich and rewarding retirement. With his family, friends, fitness routine, love of books and deep curiosity, we doubt there will be many quiet moments ahead.

Thank you, John, and all the very best.

(If you would like to leave John a message, we will pass it on.)

16/12/2025

The recent tragic events in Bondi have deeply impacted our community, and we share in the grief and shock felt by so many. Our thoughts are with those directly affected and with the broader communities who are hurting.

This tragedy resonates profoundly with us because of our longstanding connections with our Jewish communities, clients, families, colleagues and friends. We stand in solidarity and reaffirm our commitment to dignity, safety, and respect. First Step opposes all forms of violence, persecution and terrorism.

Compassion and respect are at the heart of what we do at First Step. These values guide every interaction and every decision. In times like this, we remain committed to ensuring that kindness, understanding and care shape how we support our clients, colleagues, and communities we work alongside. Together, we will keep working toward a safer, more connected community.

Catherine Easton
Chair

Patrick Lawrence
CEO

Every morning, our team gathers to talk through how to best support each person in our care.It’s not a handover — it’s a...
16/12/2025

Every morning, our team gathers to talk through how to best support each person in our care.

It’s not a handover — it’s a genuine collaboration between doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived experience workers.

That’s how we keep people safe, connected and supported — one step at a time.

That’s what makes integrated care truly work.

Please donate today to support our life changing work: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

First Step will be closed from 12pm Friday 19th December to 9am Friday 2nd January.If you need support during this tim...
14/12/2025

First Step will be closed from 12pm Friday 19th December to 9am Friday 2nd January.
If you need support during this time, you can contact the Home Doctor Service on 13 74 25.
Or for emergencies call 000.

When doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived-experience workers collaborate, people find safety and hope.Our I...
13/12/2025

When doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived-experience workers collaborate, people find safety and hope.

Our Integrated Care Model helps people rebuild their lives by addressing every aspect of wellbeing - physical, mental, social and legal.

It’s not just about treating symptoms, it’s about seeing the whole person.

Watch this video from First Step CEO, Patrick Lawrence, to learn more about our model:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LromD_ZlQV4

10/12/2025

We’re very proud to share this feature on First Step in VAADA - The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association’s latest bulletin - another moment in our 25th anniversary year to reflect on how far we’ve come, and the incredible people who’ve walked with us.

Huge thanks to VAADA for sharing our story and for everything they do across the sector.

Read the piece here:

08/12/2025

Victoria’s first Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2025–2035 is a milestone for our sector.

At First Step, we know that substance use is a health issue, not a personal failing. The strategy’s focus on harm reduction, lived experience, and culturally safe care aligns with our integrated model of mental health, addiction treatment, and wraparound supports.

We welcome the leadership shown by the Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt MP and look forward to partnering with government and community to turn this vision into action, because every person deserves timely, compassionate care that works for them.

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-12/victorian-alcohol-other-drugs-strategy-2025-35.pdf

At First Step, our doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived experience workers don’t just work under one roof, ...
08/12/2025

At First Step, our doctors, psychologists, nurses, lawyers and lived experience workers don’t just work under one roof, they work together.

They share responsibility, insights and decisions so each person receives coordinated, whole-person care.

That’s what makes integrated care truly work.

Please donate today to support our life changing work: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

Address

18 Mitford Street
St Kilda, VIC
3182

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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Our Story

First Step is a mental health and addiction treatment ‘hub’ located in St.kilda, Vic. For nearly 20 years we have practiced the team care of clients, providing free-of-charge access to GP's (with vast AOD experience) psychologists, psychiatrists, case workers, mental health nurses, criminal and specialist family violence lawyers among others.

All practitioners practice from the one location at 42 Carlisle Street, St.Kilda. This is essential for people suffering from acute addiction & mental health as they are often too chaotic to cope with multiple appointments and whose care is optimised by accessing the expertise of multiple practitioners all working together.

First Step truly understands that effective treatment of highly complex conditions (like mental ill-health and addiction) is contingent on the input of different areas of expertise and this is extensively facilitated within the operating structure of First Step.

It is our mission to ensure that every person has every chance to turn their lives around.