Our mental health is affected by changes in our social environment ,and no event in recent history has wrought havoc with our daily lives quite like COVID-19. Isolation and other restrictions may increase anxiety and stress as may worries about finances, employment and family. You can maintain your mental health with various online supports.
Please consult one of our doctors at GIMG if you need further mental health advice.
There are some very useful website resources on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Mental Health Resources-COVID 19 as listed below: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
A crisis support service offering short term support at any time for people who are having difficulty coping or staying safe.
www.lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue 1800 512 348
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.
https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Eheadspace 1800 650 893
Online and webchat support and counselling for 12-25 year olds, their family and friends.
www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
MensLine 1300 78 99 78 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. MensLine online counselling.
Mindspot 1800 61 44 34 (8am – 8pm, Monday – Friday; 8am-6pm, Saturday).
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.
Suicide Call Back Service – mental health support, call back service: 1300 659 467 or online at suicidecallbackservice.org.au (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Youth focused mental health and support services
Headspace -Call eheadspace on 1800 650 890 or online at www.headspace.org.au
Kids Helpline – Call 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
ReachOut – Online at reachout.com.au
SANE Australia – Call 1800 187 263 or online at sane.org
Orygen Digital – Call 1800 888 320 or online at Moderated Online Social Therapy Platform
Specialist areas
1800Respect – confidential counselling, information and support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse via phone or online chat. Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). 1800Respect online chat.
Directline – confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral service. Phone:1800 888 236 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Directline online counselling.
Switchboard Victoria – telephone and web counselling, information, and referral service for LGBTQI people. Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm – 12am, 7 days a week). QLife Webchat.
In addition to those listed by DHHS is the following recommended website:
The Black Dog Institute www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
There are also recommended Smartphone Apps:
Smiling Mind App https://www.smilingmind.com.au
Suitable for all ages, encouraging meditation and mindfulness to help bring balance into peoples lives.
Mind the Bump https://www.mindthebump.org.au
An app for pregnant women and parents in the early stages of parenthood, developed under Beyond Blue .
