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Mental Health & Drug and Alcohol Support during holiday season

During the holiday season, many services will be closed, with limited availability or at full capacity. Take advantage of reliable Australian mental health websites and support lines.

Many people can benefit from low intensity interventions such as online therapy either alone or in conjunction with face-to-face therapy.

Important points when recommending websites

  • Use websites from reputable organisations
  • Look at them before recommending them
  • Make sure they have links to emergency help
  • Make specific recommendations tailored to each person’s needs
  • Provide the URL in a form your patient/client cannot lose
  • If possible, show them through the website
  • Follow up your recommendations

Resources for practitioners:

Here are some e-Mental Health resources you can recommend to your patients/clients:

Head to Healthwww.headtohealth.gov.auDigital mental health resources from trusted service providers
Beyondbluewww.beyondblue.org.auWellbeing and support services
Reachoutwww.reachout.org.auReliable mental health apps
Bitebackwww.biteback.org.auWeekly challenges to help improve mental fitness and reduce stress
Youth
Youth Beyond Bluewww.youthbeyondblue.comSupport and counselling for young people 12-25
E-headspacewww.eheadspace.org.auSupport and counselling for young people 12-25
LGBTI support
Q Lifehttps://qlife.org.auPeer support and referrals.Online chats also available
Pregnancy and perinatal period
Mumspacewww.mumspace.com.auSupporting the emotional health of new and expecting mums
Mind the Bump appwww.whatwerewethinking.org.auResources for new parents
Mum Mood Boosterwww.mummoodbooster.comEvidence-based treatment for postnatal depression
Baby Stepswww.babysteps.org.auSupports dad as well as mums
   
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Well Mobwww.wellmob.org.auSocial, emotional, and cultural wellbeing online resources
Guided self-help
This Way Upwww.thiswayup.org.auSelf-guided mental health courses
Moodgymwww.moodgym.org.auInteractive self-help book for prevention and management of depression and anxiety symptoms
myCompasswww.mycompass.org.auInteractive modules
Mindspotwww.mindspot.org.auTherapist assisted online self-help
Smiling mind appwww.smilingmind.com.auWeb and app-based meditation program
Beyond Now Apphttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/beyondnow-suicide-safety-planningSuicide safety planning
Drug and alcohol
On Trackwww.ontrack.org.auAlcohol and depression course
Hello Sunday Morning and Daybreak appwww.hellosundaymorning.orgHelps you change your relationship with alcohol.

Mental Health Support Lines

Lifeline13 11 1424-hour crisis support and suicide prevention
Suicide Call Back Service1300 659 46724-hour free counselling for suicide prevention and mental health
NSW Mental Health Line1800 011 51124-hour service. Anyone with a mental health issue can use this to find the right care
Men’s Line Australia1300 78 99 7824/7 help, support, referral and counselling
Kids Helpline1800 55 180024/7, private and confidential counselling service for 5-25 years.
Family Referral Service1800 066 757Brings together families, support services and community resources
Neami National9570 5933Community-based service to improve mental health and wellbeing in communities
1800 Respect1800 737 732Support for those experiencing sexual assault, domestic, and family violence
Domestic Violence Line1800 656 463Trained female caseworkers providing counselling, advice, referrals and legal help
NSW Rape Crisis Centre1800 424 01724/7 telephone and online counselling service
NSW Health Sexual Assault Serviceshttps://www.health.nsw.gov.au/parvan/sexualassault/Pages/health-sas-services.aspxLocal sexual assault service
Eastern & Central Sydney Sexual Assault Service9515 9040 and 9515 6111 (after hours)Local sexual assault service
Southern Sydney Sexual Assault Service, St George Hospital0113 2494 or 9113 1111 (after hours)Local sexual assault service
QLife1800 184 527Free LGBTI peer support and referral
Mental Health Carers1300 554 660Support for carers
PANDA1300 726 306Supports women and families suffering from perinatal anxiety and depression
Gidget Foundation Australia1300 851 758Promote emotional wellbeing for expectant and new parents
Beyondblue1300 22 4636Information and support to achieve best possible mental health.
Eheadspace Support1800 688  248For young people aged 12-25

Drug and Alcohol Support Lines

Alcohol and Drug Information Service1800 422 599ADIS is a 24-hour state wide telephone service offering support, information, advice, crisis counselling and referral to services in NSW.
Family Drug Support1300 368 18624 hour a day telephone support to families and carers, staffed by volunteers who have experience of family members with alcohol and drug use.
Stimulant Treatment Line(02) 9361 8088 (Sydney metro)1800 10 11 88 (Regional NSW)Provides info, referral, crisis counselling and support for people who use stimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy. Free service with counsellors available 24 hours a day for support with your own or someone else’s stimulant use.
Opioid Treatment Line1800 642 428Provides information and referral relating to methadone, buprenorphine and suboxone. Free service available Mon to Fri, 9.30 – 5pm.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation1300 85 85 84Provides information and support on alcohol and drugs services and practical next steps.
More information from NSW health here