Mental Health and Well-being Services Active During COVID-19
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The discussions, concerns, and indirect or direct effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can cause stressful thoughts and anxiety, greatly impacting our mental health and wellbeing. Whilst everyone reacts differently to traumatic events and experiences, it can be valuable to seek out resources and services that support and encourage better mental health practises. Below are links to support and counselling resources and online or phone services currently active within Australia:
Mental Health Support and Counselling Services:
Beyond Blue provides telephone, email, online chat, and forum counselling services, delivering information and support for individuals regardless of age, background, culture, or location. Their website features information that equips individuals to look after and improve their own mental health in addition to creating confidence in their ability to support those around them.
Launched in October of 2019, LETSS is an evening peer support service that is not clinical or counselling, but support provided by operators who use their lived experience to provide personalized and experienced assistance, care, and information.
Sane Australia’s qualified mental health professionals provide phone, webchat, email, and online counselling services to Australian individuals regardless of age, ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity. Their website additionally provides factsheets and guides for mental health and wellbeing support during COVID-19, whilst their 24/7 chat allows for connection with peers within a supportive online environment monitored by health professionals.
The eheadspace service provides free online support and counselling by experienced youth mental health professionals to individuals living within Australia aged 12 – 25, and their families, friends, and carers. In addition to 1-on-1 counselling services, eheadspace operates group chats led by headspace professionals that assist in forming connections with other young individuals.
This service offers free professional telephone and online counselling with trained counsellors who assist in developing strategies for the pressures of everyday life. The service is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week for individuals who are 15 years and older, and living or working in regional South Australia.
MOSH caters for the needs of those at risk of self-harm and suicide in addition to those bereaved through suicide. Whilst their CBD and MOSH House locations are temporality closed during COVID-19, a phone support service is currently available.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support and Counselling Services:
This phone service provides peer support and counselling, in addition to advice on suitable services or community groups within rural SA. The service aims to support individuals who live within country SA and identify as LGBTQIA or gender questioning, in addition to professionals who would like to learn more about working with the trans, gender diverse, and gender questioning community. This service additionally provides a wellbeing check and follow up calls if required.
The website of this service provides health-related programs, services, resources, links, and research focused upon both LGBTI people and sexual, gender, and bodily diverse people and communities.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services:
The WSSSA offers a phone support service for women and children who are experiencing and/or escaping domestic or family violence. This service offers risk assessments, safety management, and access to safe accommodation and resources for those at risk.
Yarrow Place offers a 24 hour Crisis Response Service for people who have experienced a recent sexual assault, providing support from a social worker, and medical care and evidence collection for people considering legal action. This service provides professional counselling for recent and past sexual assault clients, offering support and access to information and resources.
Drug and Addiction Support Services:
DASSA offers a state-wide health service that provides prevention, treatment and education services for people with alcohol and other drug issues both online and through their phone information service.
Small Business and Job Seeker Mental Health and Financial Support Sevices:
Developed by Beyond Blue and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, the Heads Up website provides resources, information, and advice, for both individuals and business leaders to encourage and create a mentally healthy work environment. In addition to workplace resources, the website additionally features information for individuals regarding mental health and job loss during the coronavirus outbreak.
Developed by Everymind and the National Mental Health Commission, Ahead For Business offers wellbeing and mental health support for small business owners in Australia. Their website features articles, podcasts, video case-studies, and links to additional resources, whilst their app offers a five minute mental health ‘check-up’ and stress tracker.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Emergency Phone Services:
Emergency: 000
If you or someone you are assisting is in immediate danger or risk of harm, please call emergency services.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Lifeline provides 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention phone services.
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
This service provides 24 hour counselling and emergency support for youth aged 5-25, and support and information for parents and carers.
Mental Health Triage Service: 13 14 65
The SA Health Mental Health Triage Service is staffed by mental health clinicians and operates 24 hours, providing access to mental Health services, and information in a mental health emergency or crisis situation.
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 569 467
This service offers immediate 24 hour crisis support and free counselling to anyone in Australia who is aged 15 years and older who is feeling suicidal, worried about someone else, or has lost someone to suicide.
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
This 24 hour national phone service provides support and counselling for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault and abuse.
Ninko Kurtangga Patpangga (NINKO) The Southern Regional Aboriginal Family Violence Service: 1800 800 098
This is a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence, and seeking support or information and phone counselling.
Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service: (08) 8226 8787 (24 hours) or 1800 817 421 (toll free)
Yarrow place is a lead South Australian public health agency that provides counselling and a 24/7 crisis response service for survivors of a recent sexual assault.
Directories and Additional Resources:
For additional resources and support the MHCSA now has a live directory of mental health services available from across South Australia. This directory features a search function for these community-managed mental health services.
The Rainbow Directory SA, managed by The Catalyst Foundation, includes a database of services, organisations, groups, and activities, intended for, or inclusive of, the LGBTIQA+ community.
Focused upon the advancement of mental health and wellbeing for Australian infants, children, adolescents and families, Emerging Minds now leads the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health. Their website features resources assisting parents and caregivers in supporting and ensuring the mental health of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Australian Government is providing financial support and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, a summary of available assistance and payments can be found on their website.
Access to current and accurate information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic may assist in allowing you to sustain a feeling of control and perspective. Reputable sources for COVID-19 information include:
- The Australian Government coronavirus health alert
- SA Health Updates and Information
- The World Health Organization
- Health Direct
