Where to find help in Victoria

[emilykate]

Mental Health Information and Help Lines Resource

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Here is my list of different organisations etc that may be of help - I will try to keepit as up-to-date and comprehensive as possible!


Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria (ADAVIC)
A self-funded not for profit community-based support for anxiety disorders and some depression conditions, the Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria caters for Generalized anxiety, stress & worry, Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, Agoraphobia, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), offering telephone support and information service that operates from Tuesday to Friday, weekly support group meetings, regular lectures, factsheets, personal stories, courses and workshops, Online Discussion Forum for sharing experiences with others in the community, social events & outings plus referrals to therapists specialising in anxiety and depression disorders.
To view and post on the ADAVIC Online Forum - forum.adavic.org.au/ - you must first register (see ‘Register’ button in the top, right hand corner).

The ADAVIC office is available for contact 10.30am to 4.00pm Tuesday to Friday on 9853-8089. Their email is [e-mail] and you can look at their website – www.adavic.org.au - for more information.

ARAFEMI
www.arafemi.org.au

Founded in Victoria in 1979, ARAFEMI offer support for those caring for/worried about people with mental illness – information as well as free counseling for family, friends and those living alongside people with mental illness. Carer peer support, education, counselling, phoneline. Sometimes we ALL need support – especially with these very difficult troubles. Some factsheets are translated into languages other than English, including Vietnamese. I heard about ARAFEMI from ADAVIC. ARAFEMI keep the standard office hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Address:
270 Auburn Road
Hawthorn VIC, 3122
Australia

Postal Address:
PO Box 83
Hawthorn VIC, 3122
Australia

Phone Number: [phone]
ARAFEMI Carer Helpline: 1300 550 265

Facsimile: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]



Headspace – Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation
Founded in 2006 and funded by the Commonwealth Government, headspace caters for people aged 12-25 and provides services for young people and their friends who might experience depression and/or anxiety, aren’t coping at school, don’t get enough sleep or sleep too much, find it hard to concentrate, want to cut down drinking or drug use and/or have been bullied, hurt or sexually harassed as well as those who have questions or concerns about their general physical health, sexual health, nutrition and diet, contraception and/or relationships. Counsellors at headsapce are someone you can talk to, and headspace also offers wellness checks and medical advice, assists with employment and training, sorting out problems at school, dealing with issues with family and friends, housing, legal issues such as debts, fines and charges, drug and alcohol issues, free computer use and internet access and finding other services that may be helpful. Many headspace sites also have GPs and psychiatrists on site (call them to check).

Details for all 10 Victoria Locations:
headspace Western Melbourne
www.headspace.org.au/wmh/
Address:
80b Harvester Road
Sunshine
Melbourne VIC 3020
Opening Hours:
Monday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 7.30pm
Thursday: 9am - 8.30pm
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Contact Details:
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

headspace South West Victoria
www.headspace.org.au/southwestvictoria/
Address:
210 Timor Street
Warrnambool Vic 3280
Opening Hours:
Open 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday inclusive except for public holidays.
A GP is available each Tuesday afternoon for consultation.
Phone: [phone]

headspace Baw Baw
www.headspace.org.au/centralwestgippsland/
Address:
34 Queen Street
Warragul 3820
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Contact Details:
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

headspace Latrobe
Address:
99 Buckley Street, Morwell
Opening Hours:
9am - 5pm Mon to Fri
Contact Details:
Ph: 03-5136 8300
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

headspace Barwon City
www.headspace.org.au/barwon/
Address:
Old Geelong Post Office
Cnr Gheringhap and Ryrie Street
Geelong
Opening Hours:
9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday
11am to 5pm Friday
Contact Details:
Phone: [phone]
If you need immediate help or have a friend in crisis call 5226 7410 - 24 hour crisis number

headspace Barwon Corio
Address:
Level 1, Suite 4 - 6
Corio Shopping Centre
Bacchus Marsh Road
Corio 3214
Opening Hours:
9am - 5pm Monday to Friday
Phone - 5279 2754
If you need immediate help or have a friend in crisis call 5226 7410 - 24 hour crisis number

headspace Barwon Bellarine
Address:
Peninsula Drive
Drysdale, Victoria, 3222
Opening Hours:
1pm - 5pm Monday - Friday
Contact Details:
Phone [phone]
If you need immediate help or have a friend in crisis call 5226 7410 - 24 hour crisis number

headspace Northern Melbourne
www.headspace.org.au/northernmelbourne/
Address:
2A Hartington Street,
Glenroy, VIC
Opening Hours:
Monday - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday - 11:00am - 7:00pm
Friday - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

headspace St Kilda
www.headspace.org.au/southernmelbourne/
Address:
332 Carlisle St
Balaclava 3183
Opening Hours:
9:00 - 5:30, Monday - Friday
Contact Details:
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]

headspace Highett
Address:
cnr Highett Rd and Peterson St
Highett 3190
Opening Hours:
2:30 - 5:30
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Contact Details:
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Peninsula headspace
www.headspace.org.au/frankstonpeninsula/
Address:
Level 1, 12 Keys Street Frankston 3199
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri - 9am - 5pm
Intake workers are available from 11am - 4pm
Monday to Friday
phone - 03 9769 6419
fax - 03 9770 5688
[e-mail]




SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national charity which co-ordinates campaigns (such as Stigma Watch, Mind and Body Initiative and the Mental Illness and Bereavement Initiative), education (including SANE News quarterly, their helpline as well as factsheets and DVDs) plus research.
www.sane.org
helpline: 1800-187-263




The Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria)
The MHFA offer a variety of programs and events. Unfortunately, their website is somewhat lacking in information pertaining to its funding, establishment and aims. I have requested an information pact be mailed as a reference for the MSA Women’s Department and will keep this forum updated.
www.mentalhealthvic.org.au/

The MHFA(V) advises the following crisis and counseling lines:
1300 ANXIETY (Victoria)
LifeLine – 13 11 14
Grief Line – 03 9596 7799
Kids Help Line - 1800 55 1800
LifeLine - 13 11 14
Lifeline's Just Ask - 1300 131 114 (Rural mental health information service)
Medicines Line - 1300 888 763
Mensline - 1300 78 99 78
OCD & Anxiety HelpLine: 03 9886 9377 or 1300 ANXIETY (Victoria)
ParentLine - 13 22 89
SANE Helpline - 1800 688 382
Suicideline - 1300 651 251
Victorian Government Mental Health Advice Line - 1300 280 737




Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria (MI)
MI is a membership-based non profit organisation offering information as well as live in services, home support, accommodation support, returning to study, finding employment that will be stable, counselling and initiatives such as the visitor service. The MI Helpline is confidential and free, staffed by volunteers – many of whom have experienced mental illness, either first-hand or as a family member - offering information, support and referrals.
To find out more visit their website: www.mifellowship.org
To find out about counselling from MI, call: [phone]
Helpline: [phone]
MI Helpline: (9am and 5pm) 1800-345-697




Anxiety Recovery Centre VIC (ARCVIC)
TheARC provides a website that is “or the one in ten people who have an anxiety disorder, and for their families, relatives and friends.” ARCVic is now the business and promotional name of the Obsessive Compulsive & Anxiety Disorders Foundation Victoria Inc (founded in 1987). Offering support groups, the OCD & Anxiety Helpline (03 9886 9377 or 1300 ANXIETY or 1300 269 438) and a “pen pal” service, the ARCVic also has lots of good information on anxiety disorders obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, stress, depression and information for family and friends. Information on treatment should be added soon. I especially would like to encourage everyone to have a glance at their overview of anxiety disorders at www.arcvic.com.au/disorders/anxietydisorders.html - it won’t take long and it’s a good place to start learning about the different types of anxiety disorders and their overall prevalence. The ARCVic also have conducted and supported some research into anxiety disorders and mental health (for example, they are currently support research at Swinburne University into OCD).
www.arcvic.com.au




SECASA [South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Violence] brochure

"Sexual assault can involve a wide range of behaviours including exhibitionism, genital touching, oral, vaginal and anal penetration. This may occur as a single incident, or progress over time."
Service CASA offers includes:

• 24-hour Crisis Service for adults, children and non-offending family members;
  
• Confidential short-term counselling and support for those who have been sexually assaulted recently or in the past;
  
• Phone consultation facilities for the hearing impaired;
  
• Groups for survivors;
  
• Information and referral; and
  
• Legal advocacy
  

to name but a few service.
Crisis Line: 9594-2289 - a telephone counselling service is available 24 hours a day
TTY: 9594-2175
Admin Line: 9928-8741
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Websire: www.secasa.com.au

Other useful contacts SECASA list on their leaflets include:

• Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault: 9687-5811
  
• Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault: 9496-2241
  
• Centre Against Seual Assault (CASA House): 9344-2210
  
• Esastern Centre Against Sexual Assault: 9870-7330
  
• Barwon CASA: [phone]
  
• Loddon Campaspe Centre Against Sexual Assault: [phone]
  
• Ballarat Sexual Assault Centre [phone]
  
• South Western Centre Against Sexual Assault: [phone]
  
• Goulburn Valley CASA: [phone]
  
• Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault: [phone]
  
• Upper Murray CASA: [phone]
  
• Mallee Sexual Assault Unit: [phone]
  
• Wimmera Centre Against Sexual Assault: [phone]
  
• Women's Information Referral Exchange (WIRE): 9654-6844
  
• Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria: 9329-8433 or Toll Free 1800-015-188
  
• Stopover/Youth Emergency Accomodation: 9347-0636
  
• After Hours Telephone Service Against Sexual Assault 24 Hour Toll Free: 1800-806-292
  
• Gay and Lesbian Switchboard: 9510-5488
  

Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS)
Sadly, there are times when people with mental illness may find themselves discriminated against - for example, if your school does not recognise that your condition is a medical one when you apply for special consideration for an exam, etc - however the DDLS may be of help. They provide free telephone advice - they can provide you with information and can also provide assistance if you decide to go down the legal path and make a complaint, such as referral, advice and casework assistance. They may be able to offer you services such as writing letters of demand from a solicitor, or accompanying you in mediation/conciliation. The DDLS also undertake research into such things as legal and economic issues affecting those with disabilities, community legal education and policy and law reform. DDLS was reccomended to me by the Anxiety Recovery Centre.
Their telephone service operates from 9am-5pm Mon-Friday.
Ph: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
TTY: [phone]
Country: 1300-882-872
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.communitylaw.org.au/ddls/




Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria
www.eatingdisorders.org.au/
Admin (as opposed to Helpline) phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Admin email: [e-mail]
1513 High Street, Glen Iris, VIC 3146
Opening hours: 9.30am - 5pm (Monday to Friday)
(Near Glen Iris Station; you can also take the Route 6 Tram)

A non-for profit organisation, formerly the Anorexia Nervosa Foundation, established in 1983, the Eating Disorders Foundation Victoria is mainly funded by grants the Victorian Government Department of Human Services, which covers approximately 80% of running costs. Aside from practical support, it also operates as a lobby group and offers training to teachers, welfare workers and community groups. Volunteers play an important role, with just under 100 voluntary staff manning the Helpline, Chat Room, working as support group conveners and on IT and admin. The EDV aims to provide long-term support – into full recovery – for people suffering eating disorders.

Services:

Helpline: 1300 550 236 - staffed by trained voluntary advisors from the Eating Disorders Foundation Old, Eating Disorders Foundation South Australia and Eating Disorders Foundation Victoria 9.30am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Occiasionally, the workload of this phoneline means that your call will instead go through to voicemail. Don’t let this deter you and if this does happen, don’t give up. As their website says: “we encourage you to leave a message so we can return your call promptly. We will ALWAYS try to return calls within one working day. However, when returning your call we never say where we are calling from, and we will not leave a message on a landline answering machine, in order to protect your privacy and confidentiality. This means, if you haven’t heard back from us within one day, it simply means we were unable to contact you directly. In this case, please give us another call.” The phone line offers an Interpreting Service – ask for your language of choice and they will phone through to the Interpreting Service.

Email enquiries: whilst their phone service is treated as top priority, EDV recognizes that you may feel shy about speaking over the phone, so you can send an email to [e-mail] asking for information and support.

Recovery Support Officer: someone to support you and help you devise strategies from the time you recognise your disorder/are diagnosed and even once you are fully recovered but feel you’d like a bit more support in maintaining your wellbeing You can get in contact with a Recovery Support Office in three ways arrange a face-to-face appointment, a telephone appointment or email enquiries/concerns. To get in contact with e EDV Recovery Support Officer, contact the Eating Disorders Helpline on 1300 550 236 or 03 9885 0318 or else email [e-mail]
Recovery Support Groups are another way the EDV works to support people with eating disorders. These groups are based in Glen Iris, Frankston and Geelong. There are one or two requirements – mainly that you’re 18 or over and both medically and emotionally able to attend to your benefit – and you can call the Eating Disorders Helpline on 1300 550 236 if you have any questions about the group and whether this might be an appropriate form of support for you. Find out more by going to the web site www.eatingdisorders.org.au/aboutus/what-we-do/support-groups/recovery-support-groups.html

Family Support Officer: if a friend or family member is suffering from an eating disorder, but you feel unsure about talking to them and telling them you think they have an eating disorder, or you simply don’t know how to or what to say to support them or in day to day encounters, then it is definitely a good idea to get in contact with an EDV Family Support Officer and organize a free, confidential appointment, which may take place face-to-face or over the phone. You can do this by making an appointment through the Eating Disorders Helpline on 1300 550 236 or 03 9885 0318, or email [e-mail]. I also recommend you look at the website www.eatingdisorders.org.au/family-friends/how-we-can-help/family-support-officer-2.html for advice on approaching someone you think may have an eating disorder, advice for people living with someone with an eating disorder as well as warning signs and symptoms. A glance at the “How Family and Friends Are Affected” page shows that the EDV really do understand eating disorders from all points of view. You may also want to participate in the EDV Online Carers Forum “Care and Share” – visit www.eatingdisorders.org.au/aboutus/what-we-do/carers-space-forum.html to find out more!

Library Service: members of EDV may borrow from the library. To find out more see www.eatingdisorders.org.au/aboutus/what-we-do/library-service.html





WIRE women's information
You can also drop in to the Women's Information Centre: 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 10.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday or visitwww.wire.org.au
Email: [e-mail]
For hearing impaired: 133-677
For free, confidential information, support and referrals, local call statewide (excl. mobiles) : 1300-134-130 Interpreter available upon request.
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The following info taken directly from WIRE leaflets: "WIRE provide emotional and practical support with: abuse, stalking or bullying; family or relationship difficulties; making ends meet or finding somewhere to live; getting legal advice; worries about sexuality; finding work, starting a business, training or study options; finding a female doctor, counselor or tradesperson; becoming more involved in your community; and anything you want to talk through.

When you call WIRE [they] will: respect your privacy - [they] don't ask your name or keep any records of [your] conversation; take the time to really listen to you and understand your situation; support you to rcognise your own strengths and resources; give you relevant, up-to-date information; connect you to further support using our database of services and practitioners; help you to navigate community service systems; work with you to look at all your options and form a plan of action.

There's no need to make an appointment [for the Women's Information Centre], just drop in for: face-to-face support information and referrals; support in looking for a job, returning to study or searching the Internet; information on topics ranging from health to legal rights; free computers with internet and printing facilities; free basic computer tutorials; a community notice board; a comfy couch to take a break, feed the baby or have a chat."




Gay and Lesbian Switchboard
Established in 1991, Switchboard offers a peer-based telephone counselling service for LGBT people, staffed primarily by volunteer counsellors. The new number for Switchboard is 9663-2939 and it operates daily 6pm-10 except on Wednesdays (2pm-6pm) and Saturdays (6pm-9pm). To find out more, visit www.switchboard.org.au[/size]






Beyond Blue
Beyond blue, a non-for profit organization established in 2000, are probably one of the most well-heard of all mental health support/lobby groups in the country, with their primary focus being on raising awareness. Their website www.beyondblue.org.au offers (some) information on mental health, and they also have an infoline – 1300-22-4636 (not to be confused with a counselling line). It has been brought to my attention that unfortunately there are some issues with BeyondBlue regarding support to the Queer community, with the former head of BeyondBlue Jeff Kennet reported in the media as likening bisexuality/homosexuality to pedophilia. (See online: www.crikey.com.au/2009/07/20/beyondblue-finally-pays-attention-to-a-long-neglected-group-of-people/ + www.theage.com.au/national/gays-ignored-by-beyondblue-20090627-d0lf.html + www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/kennett-gay-storm/story-e6frf7l6-1111117025363 + www.theaustralian.com.au/news/jeff-kennett-anti-gay-complaint/story-e6frg6of-1225770403778 + www.theaustralian.com.au/news/discrimination-case-againt-kennett-dropped/story-e6frg6o6-1225772109545 + sxnews.gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/burns-drops-action-against-kennett-006087.html )




Monash Health Wellbeing and Development Hub ("The Hub")
There is free counselling available on Clayton campus for students enrolled at Monash University - the Health, Wellbeing and Development Hub, usually referred to simply as 'The Hub'. Please note that you may referred to a specialist psychologist or may benefit from prescribed medication – if you feel this may be the case, talk to your counsellor about it. Your counsellor will probably be a psychologist and will not be a psychiatrist, and therefore will be unable to prescribe any medication; however, they will be able to help you find an appropriate psychiatrist.

To book a FREE counselling appointment: 9905-3156
After-hours counselling: 1300-361-008
Community Care Line – if you feel threatened, concerned about someone else’s behaviour or are worried about someone’s wellbeing – 9905-1599

The HUB can be found on the 1st Floor of the Campus Centre, on the far west side. Directions: take the stairs near Meeting Point up to 1st Floor, turn left and left again and walk striaght down the corridor and through the automatic doors until you reach the Hub front desk.

Take your student card with you. The first session you have is really aimed at getting an idea of what’s going on – the background – rather than ‘treating’ you. Remember, you can change counsellors or ask for a specific counsellor (for example, if a friend has recommended you see someone or if you refer a certain gender).

The HUB also offers semester-long programs for specific conditions such as depression or anxiety – these group sessions let you work in a group situation with two counsellors and other students in a similar situation to yourself. No one in the group is allowed to tell others outside the group that you were there or anything about you; likewise, you must respect the confidentiality of your group mates. Ask the front desk at the HUB about these programs – you will probably have to see a counsellor for an initial one-on-one session to assess whether this program will be suitable for you. Places are limited and it is first come, best dressed, so the sooner you find out, the better. If you feel shy about making initial enquiries, you can always email one of your Women’s Officers and ask them to get some information on your behalf, or email the HUB directly.






Remember, you should also be able to talk to your GP about mental health.If you feel that they are not giving you the referral you need to a psychologist, psychiatrist or other specialist, or if you feel they have not given you enough information or exlanation of your condition or any medications they have prescribed you, you CAN change GP or speak to another GP for a second opinion.


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