My mental health

Local services directory and online support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E3C8NDCkt8
English version. Scroll left or right to watch this video in different languages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAosGEzSfGY
Arabic version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpyISmwAou0
Burmese version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0OFmTf5h3w
Chinese (Simplified) version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7fx1_gMxi0
Karen version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OoBR8Oups0
Vietnamese version.

Maribyrnong flood recovery

Help and support is available to assist those who have been impacted by the recent floods in Maribyrnong to maintain mental health and wellbeing. This page includes a list of local services and “Looking after your mental health and wellbeing” resources in a number of languages.

Here are some options

  1. Talking to your GP is always a good place to start when you need help.
  2. Find what you need. The Looking after your mental health and wellbeing guide can help, as can the selection of local services and online support below. This guide and posters to promote it are available in five languages other than English.
  3. Head to Health ‘Let’s Talk About Mental Health’ posters can also help. Posters to promote are available in five languages other than English.

Need more help? If you need someone to help you find the support you need, call Head to Health 1800 595 212 or visit headtohealth.gov.au. A trained professional will take your call, give you advice about services and support, and if you need it, connect you to a free Head to Health hub, or help you find the support that suits your needs.

Local services directory and online support

The following service guide includes services available for everyone (regardless of age or circumstance) as well as for families, young people, men, LGBTIQ people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, those seeking asylum, and carers.

All services provide confidential support and are legally obliged to protect your privacy and handle your information with care. Many are free or low-cost. Please contact the service directly to find out if it is suitable for you.

For more detail about specific services in your local area visit healthdirect.gov.au. You can also find state-wide phone and online mental health services at health.vic.gov.au.

For everyone

  • Head to Health

    Head to Health logoFree service, for all Victorians, of all ages. Open 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

    A trained professional will take your call, give you advice, and if you need it, connect you to a free Head to Health hub or help you find the support that suits your needs.

    Call: 1800 595 212
    headtohealth.gov.au

     

  • Alcohol and Drug Support – DirectLine

  • Beyond Blue

  • Black Dog Institute

    Black Dog Institute is the only independent medical institute in Australia investigating mental health research for all ages. Using its unique translational approach allows it to quickly turn world-class scientific findings into clinical services, educational programs and e-health products that improve the lives of people with mental illness.

    blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/

  • CAREinMIND™ Wellbeing Support Service

    Free 24/7 online and phone counselling for people living, working or studying in Melbourne’s northern, central and western suburbs.

    Call 1300 096 269
    careinmind.com.au

  • Community health services

    Community health services provide free and low-cost assistance, including counselling.

    You can find all local community health centres listed on the Victorian Department of Health website.

  • GriefLine

  • Head to Health online mental health resources

    A large range of online programs and resources – find the right digital mental health support for your needs.

    headtohealth.gov.au

  • Lifeline

    Free 24-hour national telephone crisis counselling service.

    Call: 13 11 14
    Text: 0477 131 114
    lifeline.org.au – Online counselling service, further information and service finder.

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs

    The Victorian Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs are available to Victorians of all ages who have any mental health or wellbeing concerns.

    Support is also available for families, friends and carers of people who are experiencing mental health issues.

    Call: 1300 375 330
    betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-hubs

  • SANE Australia

    SANE has rolled out a new guided service that provides free tailored digital and telehealth support services for people with complex mental health issues and their families and carers. Complex mental health issues include bipolar, schizophrenia, complex trauma, and other diagnoses, as well as co-occurring issues such as autism and intellectual disability.

    sane.org

  • Suicide Call Back Service

  • Support After Suicide

    Free all-ages counselling, support groups and online resources for those bereaved by suicide.

    Call: 03 9421 7640
    jss.org.au

  • Specialist mental health services

    Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Provides immediate telephone access to an experienced mental health clinician who can help determine the type and urgency of the response needed. This is a free service.

    Emergency numbers for local government areas (depending where you live):

For families

  • drummond street services

    Adopts a whole-of-family and community-based approach to providing support. Available for personal counselling, parenting classes, seminars, or facilitated groups.

    Call:03 9663 6733
    ds.org.au

  • ForWhen Helpline

    ForWhen provides new and expecting parents – mums, dads, and guardians – with a caring, supportive mental health navigation service, to guide you and your family throughout your perinatal journey, from your baby’s conception until their first birthday.

    It’s a national support line that connects you to the right service that can help you understand what you’re feeling and provide the guidance and support you need at the right time. All you need to do is call 1300 24 23 22 or visit forwhenhelpline.org.au.

  • Kids Helpline

  • PANDA - Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia

    Free information and helpline service for women, men and their families who are finding it difficult to cope leading up to or following the birth of a child.

    Call: 1300 726 306
    panda.org.au

  • Parentline

  • Safe Steps

    Free professional support services for women and children experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone close to them.

    Call: 1800 015 188
    safesteps.org.au

For young people

For men

  • MensLine Australia

    Free telephone and online support, information and referral service to help men with relationship and other problems.

    Call: 1300 789 978
    mensline.org.au

  • You Got This Mate

    A website that provides tips and info to help men reach their best possible mental health.

    yougotthismate.com.au

For LGBTIQ people

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

  • Dardi Munwurro

  • Djirra – Family violence support service for Aboriginal people

    Free practical support to Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past.

    Call: 1800 105 303
    djirra.org.au

  • Thirrili – National Indigenous Critical Response Service (NICRS)

    The NICRS supports individuals, families and communities affected by suicide or other significant trauma. A critical response support advocate can be contacted 24/7.

    Call: 1800 805 801
    thirrili.com.au/nicrs

  • Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency

  • Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

    Free, culturally safe service for adults and children. Provides social and emotional wellbeing and mental health counselling, cultural healing and recovery programs, care coordination and outreach support, for individuals and families.

    Call: 03 9403 3300
    vahs.org.au

  • WellMob

    Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

    wellmob.org.au

  • Yarning SafeNStrong

Multicultural, asylum seeker and refugee support services

  • Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

  • Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub

  • Foundation House

    Free counselling and support for people who have experienced refugee trauma. Supporting survivors of torture and other traumatic events.

    Call: 03 9389 8900
    foundationhouse.org.au

  • InTouch – Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence

    Free support services for migrant and refugee women who are experiencing or have had experiences of family violence. 9:00am – 5:00pm weekdays.

    Call: 1800 755 988
    intouch.org.au

  • Translating and Interpreting Service

    Free interpreter services for people who do not speak English at the cost of a local call.

    Call: 131 450
    tisnational.gov.au

Peer support

  • Beyond Blue

  • GROW mental wellbeing programs

  • SANE Australia forums

    SANE supports people living with complex mental health issues, and the people who care for them. SANE hosts safe, anonymous mental health discussions which are monitored 24/7 by mental health professionals.

    Call: 1800 18 7263
    sane.org

For carers

A carer can be someone who supports a relative or friend experiencing mental illness. It’s vital that carers look after themselves too.

There are a range of services to support family, friends and carers of people with a mental illness. These can provide practical, financial and emotional support through services such as respite care, training and peer support.

  • Carers Australia – Victoria

  • Carer Gateway

  • Mind Australia

  • SANE Australia forums

    SANE supports people living with complex mental health issues, and the people who care for them. SANE hosts safe, anonymous mental health discussions which are monitored 24/7 by mental health professionals.

    Call: 1800 18 7263
    sane.org/forums

  • Tandem

    Victorian peak body representing carers of people living with mental illness. Provides a range of lobbying, research, policy, training and support services to family and friends.

    Call: 1800 314 325
    tandemcarers.org.au

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