It seems to me that the mental health services available in Australia are so expensive that it is difficult for the normal everyday Australian to have access to good assistance.
The good news is that the following health services are free! Many will still require you seek a mental health plan from your GP, but it is still good to know that you can seek help without being out of pocket.
After all, mental health affects everyone, not just the rich!
Table of Contents:
| 1. What is a Mental Health Plan |
| 2. Mental Health Services for Youths |
| 3. Mental Health Services by State |
| 4. e-Mental Health Services |
1. What is Mental Health Plan?
A mental health plan is a planned series of treatments your Doctor will prescribe once you have been formally diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Not all mental health disorders are eligible (ie dementia), but it doesn’t hurt to ask your GP what plans are applicable to your situation.
Mental Health Plans help assist with the costs or even cover the cost of seeking treatment. They usually allow for up to ten appointments with an accredited health service in a one year period.
2. Mental Health Services for Youths:
Headspace
Call – 1800 650 890
Chat Online – Feedback
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.
Kids Helpline
Call – 1800 55 1800
Chat Online – Webchat
Kids Helpline email – [email protected]
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential, phone counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.You can reach out and talk with us for FREE about good things and tough stuff, exciting times or about something that’s bringing you down. There’s heaps of great tips & info for you and remember, you’re always welcome to talk with us. 24/7. 365 Days.
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness
Over a million Australian children have at least one parent with a mental illness. These children may face many challenges. A range of factors associated with families where a parent experiences mental illness can have a negative impact on a child’s development and wellbeing. The COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) national initiative develops information for parents, their family and friends in support of these kids and young people. This information complements online training courses developed by COPMI for professionals to support families either individually or through community services and programs.
This website is the primary way our information is accessed. We also work with health care providers, community support groups, educators, service organisations and the media.
Mental Health Services for Everyone:
SANE Australia
Call – 1800 18 7263
Helpline email – [email protected].
SANE Australia is a national mental health charity working to support four million Australians affected by complex mental illness including schizophrenia, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, OCD, PTSD and severe depression and anxiety. Our work includes information, support, research and advocacy. For more information about SANE Australia visit www.sane.org
Lifeline Australia
Call – 13 11 14
Chat online – Lifeline Chat
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. We’re committed to empowering Australians to be suicide-safe through connection, compassion and hope. Our vision is for an Australia free of suicide.
Lifeline New Zealand
Call – 0800 543 354
Lifeline Aotearoa has been helping New Zealanders in crisis for over 50 years. Our free community helplines (Lifeline 24/7, Suicide Crisis Helpline, Kidsline) are answered by volunteers and counsellors from call centres in Auckland and Christchurch. We also provide specialized counselling and corporate and volunteer training.
ReachOut Australia
Chat Online- ReachOut Forums
ReachOut Forums is a supportive, safe and anonymous space. Hear from others about what has helped them and share what you’re going through. ReachOut.com helps under 25s with everyday questions through to tough times. Visit now to get the tools you need to make life easier.
Veteran and Veteran’s Families Counselling Service
Call – 1800 011 046
VVCS provides free and confidential, nation-wide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. VVCS also provides relationship and family counselling to address issues that can arise due to the unique nature of military service. VVCS counsellors have an understanding of military culture and can work with clients to find effective solutions for improved mental health and wellbeing.
GROW.Org.au
Call – 1800 558 268
Our mission To enable people with a mental condition or illness, to take their responsible and caring place in the wider community.
Our vision Grow is recognised for its unique approach to developing leaders in mental health recovery, through mutual help, friendships and community. Our values Personal responsibility: we have a duty to do what is right and ethical and to take responsibility for our actions Personal value: every person is valuable and has their unique place in the community Mutual help: by working together, learning together and sharing experiences we help one another grow to our full potential.
Suicide Call Back Service
Call – 1300 659 467
Chat Online – Suicide Call Back Service Chat
Suicide Call Back Service provides free phone, video & online counselling for anyone affected by suicide. The Suicide Call Back Service is a 24-hour, nationwide service that provides telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who fit one of the following categories:
- People who are suicidal
- People caring for someone who is suicidal
- People bereaved by suicide
- Health professionals supporting people affected by suicide.
The Suicide Call Back Service is especially suited to people who are geographically or emotionally isolated.
Beyond Blue
Call – 1300 22 4636
Chat Online – Beyond Blue Chat
Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. Going through tough times? Stress, anxiety and feeling down can affect anyone, and in fact, happens to a lot of us at some point in our lives. We all have good days and bad days. However, if you’re feeling sad, down or anxious and these feelings have started to affect what you would normally enjoy or do, then it’s important to find out what’s going on and what you can do about it.
Men’s Line Australia
Call – 1300 789 978
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns. MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues. We’re here to help anywhere, anytime. If you are having a relationship or family problems you can call or chat with us now.
3. Mental Health Services by State:
ACT Health
Call – 1800 629 354.
Access to Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Provides assessment and treatment 7 days a week during business hours. Referrals are received from General Practitioners, School Counsellors or other concerned health professionals.
Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol & Drug Services provides health services directly and through partnerships with community organisations. The services provided range from prevention and treatment to recovery and maintenance and harm minimisation. Consumer and carer participation is encouraged in all aspects of service planning and delivery. The Division works in partnership with consumers, carers and a range of government and non-government service providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.
NSW Health
Call – 1800 011 511
CAMHS are specialist mental health services for children and adolescents up to the age of 18yrs and their families. The aim of NSW Health CAMHS is to improve the mental health of these young people and to help them, their families and others caring for them to optimise their development and to build a secure base for their futures. CAMHS services vary in each Area Health Service. For the great majority of children and adolescents with mental health problems, care is best provided in community settings.
Northern Territory Department of Health and Families
Call – 1800 682 288
The key focus of the Department of Health is to achieve the best health and wellbeing for all Territorians through the development, management and performance of the public health system.The Department of Health is responsible for strategic leadership and funding; system-wide policy development and planning; and system governance, performance and accountability.
Queensland Health
Call – 13 43 25 84
If you or someone you care about is distressed, in crisis, suicidal or needs someone to talk to, help is available. The following services provide confidential, non-judgemental support. Phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24 hour assessment, referral, advice, and hospital and community health centre contact details.
Mental Health Association Qld
The Mental Health Association QLD premises in Brisbane and the Gold Coast offer a comfortable environment for groups to meet.
A support group can provide a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere where members can talk about a particular mental health issue relevant to them as well as give support and encouragement to each other. Meetings provide an avenue for people to come together to share coping strategies, discuss feelings and make new friends.
Victorian Department of Human Services
Call – 1300 767 299
High-quality mental health services in Victoria support people with a mental illness by providing acute, subacute, specialist, residential and inpatient community services, and community support services. These services provide people with a mental illness with the best treatment and care possible to support their long-term recovery goals and participation in community life. Government, non-government and private organisations in hospitals and in the community provide these services.
Mind Australia
Service Information: 1300 286 463
Carer Hotline: 1300 554 660
Mind Australia is located in Victoria and is a community-managed specialist mental health service provider. They offer support to people aged 16 – 64 who’s ability to manage their daily activities is impacted by mental health issues.
South Australia Health
Call – 13 14 65
SA Health has a comprehensive range of public mental health services for children and adolescents(opens in a new window), adults and older people in SA. Services are provided through community health centres and hospitals, and to consumers in their own homes. Your general practitioner is able to help and can make referrals to specialist mental health services.
Western Australian Department of Health
Call – 1300 555 788
WA Health is Western Australia’s public health system. With a State spanning over 2.5 million square kilometres, it is the largest area in the world covered by a single health authority. We employ 40,000 dedicated staff in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of the State to attend to the health needs of our growing population. In the 2015/16 financial year, we received more than 1,000,000 visits to our emergency departments, performed over 86,000 elective surgeries, conducted 157,000 school dental examinations and delivered more than 23,600 babies.
Tasmanian Health
Call – 1800 022 222
DHHS improves, promotes, protects and maintains the health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians through service planning, managing, procuring and delivering high-quality health and human services.
4. List of e-Mental Health Services
- My Compass
- Mood Gym
- On Track
- E-Couch
- This Way Up
- Mental Health Online.org.au
- Blue Pagesl.anu.edu.au
- Bite Back.org.au
- eHeadspace.org.au
- Reach Out.com
- Youth Beyond Blue.com
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