Mental Health
Mental Health difficulties should not be hidden -
end the stigma and seek help...
At SHARC, we recognise that young people entering our service for alcohol or other drug recovery can also have co-occurring mental health conditions making recovery more complex. Although anxiety and /or depression commonly co-occur with alcohol or other drug problems, many people do not recognise or respond to symptoms in themselves or others. Although we provide support and helpful programs, we also offer referral to appropriate clinical and non-clinical services as needed. We have collaborative agreements with mental health support services to ensure continuity of care and clinical support as needed. Family support is also available.
The idea that people can pull themselves out of mental health difficulties through will-power or that only ‘weak’ people get these problems is not a helpful attitude and may result in avoidance or reluctance to seek help. Some people may not have insight; others cannot take effective action to help them selves and are more likely to get help if someone else close to them suggests it. It is important that families and carers to be involved in decisions regarding treatment and individual care planning. Support for family members is available through the Family Drug Help page on this site and other services listed in links below.
The message from organisations like Beyond Blue, SANE and the Mental Health Foundation of Australia is that depression and anxiety are common and can be ‘recovered’ from if help is sought. They don't fix themselves. Even mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression can reduces a persons productivity, ability to concentrate / make decisions and increase their risk of not connecting to the help they need to reduce, manage or eliminate these disabling symptoms. As symptoms can occur to anyone at any age, it is important to monitor our own and others mental health as on ongoing process and actively challenge unhelpful thinking, feelings and behaviour. As anyone can experience an episode(s) of problematic mental health, self or GP assisted screening promotes early intervention and can prevent escalation to greater levels of disability. See your GP, use a helpline or visit an on-line service.
Resources for individual’s, friends and family members
Information on mental health and related substance use disorders can be found through the links in this section.
Mental Health Advice Line
Provides immediate mental health advice from a registered mental health professional. This line provides fast access to clear expert advice, referral and information about all mental health issues. Calls from anywhere in Victoria are charged at the cost of a local call (mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate). Call 1300 280 737 (state-wide) 24 hrs/7days.
ARAFEMI
This website offers links, information and resources. The helpline provides free, confidential information, support, referral, and education options for family, carers, and friends of people with a mental illness. Call ARAFEMI Carer Helpline on 1300 550 265, or visit www.arafemi.org.aubeyondblue
The national depression initiative for detailed information including fact sheets.
Information line: 1300 22 4636
Visit www.beyondblue.org.au
Also www.youthbeyondblue.com
Bluepages
Provides information on treatments for depression based on the latest scientific evidence, as well as symptom quizzes and relaxation downloads, and links to other helpful resources
Visit www.bluepages.anu.edu.au
family-eclipse-program
A counselling program of Odyssey House for families affected by a young adult’s drug use and mental health issues. The program provides individual family sessions and multi-family group sessions
Email odyssey@odyssey.org.au
Headspace
The national youth mental health service for 18 – 25yo. Site has information on mental health, drug and alcohol and wellbeing. Also has an area for Parents and Carers.
Visit www.headspace.org.au
Lantern…shining light in mental health
Formally known as ReachOut Mental Health. Offers services to support recovery for people with mental illness. Lantern also provides support for people with mental health diagnosis to access appropriate housing. Their Resource Centre provides an environment where individuals can explore activities designed to support personal growth, relationship building and social connection. The Blossom project provides a safe and supportive environment for young women 16-25 with anxiety & depression to connect with others and to explore their personal life strategies.
Visit www.lantern.org.au
Mental Illness Fellowship
the national body with state and territory member organisations that run programs to support and represent people with a severe mental illness and their carers.
Helpline: 03 8486 4222
Visit www.mifa.org.au
Well Ways
A group-based education and support program for families of people with mental illness. The Program offers a non-clinical approach to the many complex issues faced by families of people with a mental illness. It provides practical supports to develop effective strategies for caring for relatives, yourself and other family members.
Visit www.mifellowship.org
Well Ways Duo
A support and information program for families and friends of people with mental illness and co-existing substance use (dual diagnosis). The Well Ways Duo program aims to increase the capacity of families and friends of people with dual diagnosis to care effectively for themselves, the person with the dual diagnosis and other family members.
Bookings and information: 03 8486 4232 or email wellwaysfamed@mifellowship.org
Mind Your Head
A booklet (from Moreland Hall) developed as a resource for people wanting to know more about the relationship between mental health and substance use. The book provides information on different drugs and their effects on mental health, strategies for looking after your mental health, and getting help and support. The book is available for $6 (plus p&h) from the Australian Drug Foundation Bookshop (books, dvds, pamphlets, cd-roms, posters and postcards).
Call DrugInfo on 1300 85 85 84
Reconnexion
A state-wide counselling and telephone information service that specialises in the treatment of tranquiliser dependency (Benzodiazepines and analgesics), anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and panic attacks. The website offers fact sheets plus information about group therapy programs and counselling services.
Call 1300 273 266, or visit www.reconnexion.org.au
SANE
Conducts innovative programs and campaigns to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their family and friends.
Visit www.sane.org
Helpline: call 1800 18 SANE (7263), or visit Helpline Online
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
Provides support, advocacy and referrals to people who are experiencing, or have experienced mental distress
Visit www.vmiac.org.au
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
Helps people to work at staying well and to have a plan if become unwell. Learn to know what triggers may negatively affect your mental health and the warning signs that things aren’t going so well. Developing a plan of what to do when becoming unwell, self care strategies, who you want to be contacted. For more information, contact Ruah on 03 9227 7012, or visit www.mentalhealthrecovery.com
Free Online Self-Help
Anxietyonline
Free online psychological assessment, self-help treatment, low cost therapist assisted treatment.
Visit www.anxietyonline.org.au
Suicide Helpline
For people who are thinking about suicide, for those who are worried about someone else and for those who have been affected by suicidal behaviour. Call 1300 651 251, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
e-couch
A self-help interactive program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety & worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss & grief. Provides evidence-based information and teaches strategies drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity.
Visit www.ecouch.anu.edu.au
e-hub
Suite of online self-help services is based on the best available evidence and evaluated through high quality research. They can be used anonymously, 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the world. All programs are provided free of charge thanks to funding by the Australian Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
Visit www.facebook.com/ehub.selfhlp
Blueboard
An online support group for people over 18 years affected by depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and borderline personality disorder. Provides discussion space for consumers and carers and is moderated by consumers.
Visit www.blueboard.anu.edu.au
MoodGYM
An interactive program for preventing and coping with depression. Teaches self-help skills drawn from cognitive behaviour therapy. Provides free CBT.
Visit www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
Beacon
Provides consumer and research reviews, and rankings of online e-health programs for mental and physical health disorders.
Visit www.beacon.anu.edu.au
DepressionNet
Provides a space for people affected by depression and anxiety to exchange ideas, experiences or find information and support. It also includes practical information for relatives and friends including how they can help.
Visit www.depnet.com.au
Black Dog Institute
A educational and research facility offering expertise in depression and bipolar disorder. Has fact sheets, mood charts, information about clinics and ‘e-cards’ for depression (sending someone a card to acknowledge what they are feeling.
Visit www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Website with self assessment questionnaire (online or downloadable), information, resources eg. mood diary that can be downloaded.
Visit www.bipolar.com.au
Lifeline
The Lifeline Mental Health Resource Centre provides a 24 hour telephone counselling service and also provides self-help toolkits and fact sheets.
For 24 hour counselling, please call 13 11 14
For self-help tool kits, click here
Lifeline Service Finder
Lists details of health and community service providers. You can search their databases using keywords for the type of service and their locations.
Visit www2.lifeline.org.au/service_finder
Lifeline's Just Ask
Lifeline's rural mental health information service, providing information and referral for people with mental health problems, and to friends, relatives and others who want to know how to help.
Visit www.justask.org.au
Find a GP or service
Primary Care Partnerships State-wide Health Services Directory is Australia's most extensive directory of community support services providing access to health, welfare and community service records.
Visit pcp.serviceseeker.com.au
Not getting the help you need?
Please call the Mental Health Law Centre on 1800 620 285
Department of Human Services - Mental Health
Victorian government website from the Department of Human Services. It includes contact details, maps and descriptions of mental health services, including state-wide, specialist and forensic (related to the court) services and a link to another DHS website – Drugs and related services. This is a good practical site.
Visit www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services