Coronavirus (COVID-19): mental health and wellbeing

Need to talk? Help lines and online support for mental health

The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted all Victorians and significantly changed our day-to-day lives. It is normal to feel unsettled, anxious or lonely at this challenging time and it's important to do what we can to look after our wellbeing.

There are plenty of ways to support other people, or be supported if you are feeling anxious or uncertain.

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.

lifeline.org.au(opens in a new window)

Beyond Blue 1800 512 348

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mental Wellbeing Support Service.

coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au(opens in a new window)

Eheadspace 1800 650 893

Online and web-chat support and counselling for 12-25 year olds, their family and friends.

headspace.org.au/eheadspace(opens in a new window)

Care in Mind 1300 096 269

Online and phone counselling for people living, working, or studying in Melbourne's northern, central, and western suburbs.

careinmind.com.au(opens in a new window)

SANE Australia 1800 187 263

Professional phone, web-chat, email support and forums for people living with complex mental health issues.

sane.org/services/help-centre(opens in a new window)

MensLine 1300 789 978

Professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men.

mensline.org.au(opens in a new window)

Mindspot 1800 614 434

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.

mindspot.org.au(opens in a new window)

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

National 24/7 telehealth provider that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people feeling suicidal or caring for someone who is feeling suicidal.

suicidecallbackservice.org.au(opens in a new window)

Head to Health

Head to Health is a good place to start if you, or someone you care about, needs help managing anxiety and worry. It provides access to free and low cost telephone and online mental health and support services.

headtohealth.gov.au(opens in a new window)

Youth focused mental health and support services

Headspace

Call 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au(opens in a new window)

Kids Helpline

Call 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au(opens in a new window)

ReachOut

Online at reachout.com.au(opens in a new window)

Satellite Foundation

Satellite Foundation supports children and young people who have a parent with a mental illness. The Foundation offers peer support and interactive workshops that support and empower young people.

satellitefoundation.org.au(opens in a new window)

Specialist areas

1800Respect 1800 737 732

Confidential counselling, information and support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse via phone or online chat.

1800respect.org.au(opens in a new window)

Directline 1800 888 236

Confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral service.

directline.org.au(opens in a new window)

Switchboard Victoria 1800 184 527

Telephone and web counselling, information, and referral service for LGBTQI+ people.

switchboard.org.au(opens in a new window)

QLife 1800 184 527(opens in a new window)

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral.

qlife.org.au(opens in a new window)

Yarning SafeNStrong 1800 959 563

Yarning SafeNStrong helpline is a confidential crisis line supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Victoria.

vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong(opens in a new window)

How to call a helpline with an interpreter

You can access a free interpreting service through an organisation called TIS National(opens in a new window). An interpreter can help you speak to a helpline at any time. This service is private and confidential.

How to call a helpline with an interpreter:

• call TIS National on 131 450*
• tell the operator which language you need and the name and phone number of the service that you would like to call
• wait on hold while the operator connects you to an interpreter speaking your language
• wait while the operator transfers you and the interpreter to the helpline
• the interpreter will stay on the phone with you for the whole call

*Local call charges apply. Additional charges apply for mobile calls.

Multicultural Mental Health

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

Visit the Department of Health and Human Services(opens in a new window) website for a list of some of these services and resources.

Embrace: Multicultural mental health

Provides a platform for multicultural communities to access mental health resources, services and information in a culturally accessible format.

embracementalhealth.org.au(opens in a new window)

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

A human rights organisation whose programs support people seeking asylum to maximise their own physical, mental and social wellbeing.

asrc.org.au(opens in a new window)

Foundation House

An organisation promoting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of people from refugee backgrounds who have experienced torture and other traumatic events.

foundationhouse.org.au(opens in a new window)

Migrant resource centre - North West region

A community-based organisation providing settlement support, aged care, disability and community services to migrant and refugees living in the north western region of Melbourne.

mrcnorthwest.org.au(opens in a new window)

Spectrum Victoria

Delivers services to newly arrived and established people with migrant and refugee backgrounds in northern and western Melbourne areas.

spectrumvic.org.au(opens in a new window)

Phoenix Westgate Migrant Centre

A migrant resource centre servicing the Hobson Bay area.

wmrc.org.au(opens in a new window)

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.

miceastmelb.com.au(opens in a new window)

Resources

Although not specifically about coronavirus (COVID-19), the Transcultural Mental Health Centre(opens in a new window) have produced several resources in multiple languages about wellbeing, stress and coping with disaster that may be of assistance at this time:

A practical guide series - Stress and stress management(opens in a new window). Available in Arabic, Cantonese (audio), English, English (audio), Farsi, German, Greek, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

A practical guide series - Promoting wellbeing(opens in a new window). Available in Arabic, Cantonese (audio), English, English (audio), Farsi, German, Greek, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Help for you and your family after disasters. (opens in a new window)Available in Arabic, English, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian Simplified Chinese, Tamil, Thai and Traditional Chinese.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Resources

The following fact sheets provides helpful information about stress and anxiety in a range of languages:

What is anxiety disorder?(opens in a new window) Available in Amharic, Arabic, Assyrian, Simplified Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Dinka, English, Farsi, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Korean, Krio, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swahili, Traditional Chinese, Turkish and Vietnamese.