Mental health support

The Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs are available to Victorians of all ages who have any mental health or wellbeing concerns.

To book a free in-person or telehealth appointment, call 1300 375 330 (9 am - 10 pm weekdays and 9 am - 5 pm weekends) or submit an enquiry online via Partners in Wellbeing.

You do not need a referral from a GP or health professional to access support through a Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub.

If you need more help in your language, you can call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter, then ask to be connected to Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs on 1300 375 330.

If you wish to call on behalf of someone else, you will need their consent. You can then call 1300 375 330 and call on their behalf.

Some Hubs are available for walk-ins, check out the table below for details.

• Lifeline Australia
  A crisis support service offering short term support at any time for people who are having difficulty coping or staying safe.
  • Phone: 13 11 14
    
• Beyond Blue
  A dedicated service for those feeling anxious, stressed, depressed, or need assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Phone: 1800 512 348
    
• Care in Mind
  An online and phone counselling for people living, working, or studying in Melbourne's northern, central, and western suburbs.
  • Phone: 1300 096 269 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
• Headtohelp 
  HeadtoHelp supports Victorians of all ages in finding the mental health and wellbeing support that is best for you. When you call HeadtoHelp a trained professional will give you advice and can connect you to the right support or service. This may be to an existing mental health service or one of the HeadtoHelp hubs.
  • Phone: 1800 595 212 (8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday)
• MensLine
  A professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men.
  • Phone: 1300 789 978 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Mindspot
  A free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood, or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression and can help you find local services.
  • Phone: 1800 614 434 (8 am - 8 pm on Monday - Friday; 8 am - 6 pm on Saturday)
• Suicide Call Back Service
  A mental health support, call back service.
  • Phone: 1300 659 467 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Head to Health
  Provides information on where to get the facts about the COVID-19, tips for maintaining good mental health, tips for managing financial stress, information on how to access mental health services, information for parents, and information on how to keep older Australians safe and connected by helping them get established online.
• GriefLine
  Support for people experiencing loss and grief.
  • Phone 03 9935 7400 (Lines open from midday to 3 am, 7 days a week)
• Partners in Wellbeing
  If you are not coping or have been feeling distressed, anxious, or down over several weeks, help is available through the Partners in Wellbeing service. The free service offers one-on-one support to help you improve your wellbeing, develop strategies to cope and provide emotional support when and as you need it.
  • Phone: 1300 375 330
  • North, west, inner, and south website: www.neaminational.org.au/piw
  • South-eastern and east website: www.each.com.au/piw
  • Regional website: www.acso.org.au/aod-mh-support
• Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic)
  ARCVic provides help for those with anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalised anxiety disorder, hoarding, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic disorders. Help is available through a free service via the phone or internet-based services providing regular emotional support and assistance for your mental health and wellbeing. ARCVIC also has supports available for parents with children living with an anxiety disorder.
  • Phone: OCD & Anxiety Helpline 1300 269 438 or 03 9830 0533
• Eating Disorders Victoria
  In response to COVID-19, Eating Disorders Victoria has implemented a new Wellbeing Program to assist people living with eating disorders and their support people during these challenging times.
• SuicideLine Victoria
  A free 24/7 telephone and online counselling service offering professional support to anyone at risk of suicide, anyone concerned about someone else's risk of suicide, and anyone bereaved by suicide.
  • Phone: 1300 651 251 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Victoria)

Going into isolation With COVID-19 may feel daunting or overwhelming. Fear and anxiety about the pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.

There are several ways to support your mental health during periods of isolation:

• Remind yourself that isolation is temporary.
• Focus on the effort you are making to protect others from contracting the virus.
• Stay connected with friends, family and colleagues via email, social media, video conferencing or telephone.
• Stick to routines - although they sound dull, they are good for our mental health. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time, eat at regular times, shower, and change your clothes.
• Try to maintain physical activity if you can.
• Manage your stress levels, and if needed, increase your coping strategies (for example, listening to music, watching your favourite shows, meditation, or exercise).
• If you have a health condition, keep taking any prescribed medication, continue with your treatment plan and monitor any new symptoms.
• Avoid news and social media if you find it distressing.

Seek professional support early if you are having difficulties.

Victoria’s healthcare workers have been under immense pressure managing the COVID-19 pandemic. It is normal to feel stressed and anxious during this time. The response to the pandemic requires a huge commitment, and no matter what role you are playing in Victoria’s healthcare system, it will have an impact on your life.

Remember to get help if you need it. This includes talking to a mental health professional, contacting a mental health telephone, text, or online counselling service, or maintaining an open dialogue with your employer to ensure they are aware of your situation and can implement strategies to help.

The Safer Care Victoria Healthcare worker wellbeing centre provides:

• direct links to organisations, tools, and resources for healthcare workers to support their own mental health and wellbeing
• shares tools, resources, and training to help organisational leaders and managers to better support their staff
  • looks at ways to create system level changes and embed worker wellbeing as a priority across the broader health system.

For more resources, visit Other mental health resources.

It is important to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Remember that you are not alone, and support is available.

Try to stay connected with your family, friends, and community if you, or someone you love, feels anxious, lonely, or uncertain.

Some ways you can do this are:

• Talk with friends, loved ones and other mob
• Sleep well, eat well and exercise
• Get in tune with your creative self and connect with Country if you can
• Do things that make you feel good and build your strength
• Follow deadly mob online.

Resources available:

• Yarning SafeNStrong
  Yarning SafeNStrong (YSNS) is a confidential phone crisis line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families who want to have a yarn with culturally suitable counsellors about their wellbeing. The hotline (1800 959 563) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Djirra Aboriginal Family Violence Response & Support Service
  Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to all Aboriginal women, particularly Aboriginal people who are experiencing family violence (currently or in the past).
  • Phone: 1800 105 303 (Mon-Fri, 9 am - 9 pm)
• Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
  Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia has published a series of coronavirus (COVID-19) tip sheets for Aboriginal households, families, and communities.
• Dardi Munwurro Crisis Line
  • Phone: 1800 435 799 Aboriginal men's crisis line (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AHMRC)
  • AHMRC's self-care toolkit contains tips and tricks for maintaining good physical and mental health and wellbeing (PDF)
  • A resource for kids (PDF)
• Safe steps Family Violence Response Centre
  Safe steps is committed to assisting all women and children in the community experiencing family violence. We are an organisation that values inclusivity, diversity, and intersectionality.
  • Phone: 1800 015 188, available 24 hours, 7 days a week

Feelings of increased anxiety, stress or loneliness are normal during this time, and it is important that you reach out to others or seek help through the services below if you are not feeling yourself. Mental health support, including support for LGBTIQ+ Victorians, is available and includes:

• Rainbow Door is a free helpline run by Switchboard Victoria which supports LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The service can provide LGBTIQ+ specialist, multidisciplinary support for family violence, mental health, and relationship issues. Rainbow Door operates 7 days a week between 10 am - 6 pm
  • Phone: 1800 729 367 or texting 0480 017 246
  • Email: support@rainbowdoor.com.au
• Switchboard Victoria is a peer-driven support service for LGBTIQ+ people, their families, allies, and communities. You can chat to a peer LGBTIQ+ phone worker by calling 1800 184 527 between 3 pm and midnight every day of the week. You can also chat with someone online during the same times at QLife.
• Queerspace provides low or no cost confidential counselling services to support LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.
  • Phone: (03) 9663 6733 to see how they can support you.
• Thorne Harbour Health provides professional, affordable counselling for members of LGBTIQ+ communities and individuals or couples who are affected by or at risk of HIV.
• Australian Government is providing access to an extra 10 Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions. Speak with your GP about how to start or update your mental health care plan.
• Victorian Pride Centre’s website features a list of services and support groups.

For people with disability, this may be a particularly challenging time due to uncertainty, increased social isolation or financial hardship. The impact can be significant especially for those with cognitive impairment and those already living with complex mental health issues.

For your mental wellbeing, consider the following tips:

• Keep informed to ease fear and uncertainty. Obtain information from a reputable source to avoid confusion.
• Maintain treatment regimes, particularly those related to mental health.
• Contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 (Available Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm) for access to information and referrals for people who need help because of COVID-19, including access to counselling.
• Contact the Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 224 636 available 24/7 or online chat (3 pm to 12 am, 7 days a week).
• Remain connected with friends and family members and seek out peer support groups such as Peer Connect.

You can access additional support through:

• Carers Victoria
  Represents and provides support for carers in Victoria.
• Disability Information Helpline
  Access to information and referrals for people who need help because of COVID-19, including access to counselling.
  • Phone: 1800 643 787 (Available Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm)
• Smiling Mind
  Smiling Mind's digital care packs provide tools and resources for parents, carers, and teachers to support positive mental health for the children in their care.
• TANDEM carers
  Represents organisations and individuals who care for people living with mental illness.
• Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
  Provides telephone and advocacy services for people with a lived experience of mental health problems or emotional distress. Run by consumers for consumers.
• YMCA 
  Virtual Y offers free access to exclusive fitness videos, nutritious recipes, wellbeing advice, family activities and their Youth Hub.

If you are a young person going through a tough time including experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out), feeling disconnected, worried about the state of your friendships, school, or your academic performances, it is a good idea to talk to your family and friends about what you are going through.

If you feel embarrassed or shy, you may prefer to speak to someone else. A school counsellor, local doctor, or one of the free online or phone support services, such as eheadspace or Beyond Blue can help. Anything you discuss with them is private and confidential.

If they think you may need immediate assistance, they will refer you to a clinical mental health service with psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health workers.

You can access additional support through:

• YMCA 
  Virtual Y offers free access to exclusive fitness videos, nutritious recipes, wellbeing advice, family activities and their Youth Hub.
• Smiling Mind
  Smiling Mind’s digital care packs provide tools and resources for parents, carers, and teachers to support positive mental health for the children in their care.
• Kids Helpline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) A confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. Phone: 1800 55 1800
• ReachOut 
  A mental health organisation for young people and their parents.
• Emerging Minds
  Develops mental health policy, services, interventions, training, programs and resources for children and their families. Visit the Emerging Minds website for more information.

There are a range of mental health services and resources available for Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450 before speaking to one of the below services.

Resources:

• Embrace
  Multicultural mental health Provides a platform for multicultural communities to access mental health resources, services, and information in a culturally accessible format.
• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
  A human rights organisation whose programs support people seeking asylum to maximise their own physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
• Foundation House
  An organisation promoting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of people from refugee backgrounds who have experienced torture and other traumatic events.
• Migrant resource centre
  Northwest region: A community-based organisation providing settlement support, aged care, disability, and community services to migrants and refugees living in the north-western region of Melbourne.
• Spectrum Victoria
  Delivers services to newly arrived and established people with migrant and refugee backgrounds in northern and western Melbourne areas.
• Phoenix Westgate Migrant Centre
  A migrant resource centre servicing the Hobson Bay area.
• Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne
  Assists individuals and families from diverse backgrounds residing in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to enhance their settlement, access services and strengthen their community participation.
• Cabrini Additional
  Mental health support is being delivered by Cabrini (asylum seeker communities with a focus on Shepparton and Mildura), The Victorian Foundation for Survivors and Torture (refugee communities) and Australian Red Cross (asylum seekers, vulnerable temporary migrants).
  • Phone: 03 8388 7874
• Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
  • Phone: 03 9389 8900

Many older people are finding it difficult to stay connected while choosing to isolate away from friends and family, which can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Even if you are hesitant to see friends and family in person, try to stay connected with them through phone, video or online.

Being active can also help with your state of mind. If you can get out, ask a friend or family member to help you to keep active.

Additional resources:

• Seniors Online Victoria
  Collates a range of services and support programs tailored to older Victorians including help with essential deliveries, home support services and advocacy for seniors. Also has a full package of Seniors Festival performances and radio programs.
• Friendline
  A free confidential service available to anyone looking to reconnect or have a chat with a volunteer.
  • Phone: 1800 424 287 (1800 4 CHATS)

Families and caregivers of children and young people should discuss COVID-19 in an open and honest way that they will understand.

Talk about the facts without causing alarm, and in a way that is appropriate for their age and temperament. It is important to listen to any questions they may have, to let them know that they are safe and that it is normal to feel worried or concerned.

If the media or the news is getting too much for them, limit exposure for young children and encourage teenagers to limit their exposure or turn it off completely.

Further tips for caring for younger children:

• Ask children what they have heard about COVID-19.
• The way parents behave can have a significant effect on children. Keep conversations calm and focused on the facts. Emphasise efforts that are being taken to contain COVID-19.
• Model health-promoting behaviours for your children. For example, teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Educate the entire family about good health habits. Talk about what each family member can do to help others outside of the immediate family.
• Include children in family discussions and plans , in an age-appropriate way.
• Address any misconceptions children may have that could result in stigmatising people or groups of people in the community.

Additional resources:

• PANDA
  Support for individuals and families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression. PANDA's National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline (Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:30 pm) or online.
  Phone: 1300 726 306
• Smiling Mind
  Smiling Mind's digital care packs provide tools and resources for parents, carers, and teachers to support positive mental health for the children in their care.
• TANDEM carers
  Represents organisations and individuals who care for people living with mental illness.
• Carers Victoria
  Represents and provides support for carers in Victoria.
• Disability Information Helpline
  Access to information and referrals for people who need help because of COVID-19, including access to counselling (available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm).
  • Phone: 1800 643 787
• Eating Disorders Victoria
  In response to COVID-19, Eating Disorders Victoria has implemented a new Wellbeing Program to assist people living with eating disorders and their support people during these challenging times.