Mod. Notice Mental Health Resources and Discussion

[Scythe]

Hi all,

The sad news about Adam Selwood has reminded me that it'd be worthwhile having our own thread to share mental health resources and provide a safe, supportive space to have a yarn when times are tough.

I'll kick us off with a few links/numbers (mostly via Healthdirect), but I'm happy to add to this list at any point – particularly in regards to place-based resources and approaches, as most of the below are pretty general, nationwide interventions.

Where can I get help if I am feeling suicidal?​

• Lifeline — call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online
• Suicide Call Back Service (all ages) — call 1300 659 467

Emergency/Crisis Contacts by State and Territory

• ACT - 1800 629 354 – Mental Health Triage Service
• NSW - 1800 011 511 – Mental Health Line
• NT - 08 8999 4988 – Top End Mental Health Service
• QLD - 13 43 25 84 – 13 HEALTH
• SA - 13 14 65 – Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention Service
• TAS - 1800 332 388 – Mental Health Services Helpline
• VIC - 1300 651 251 – Suicide Help Line
• WA - 1800 676 822 – Mental Health Emergency Response Line

Self-esteem​

Lack of self-esteem and confidence can affect your mental health. You can find more advice on improving self-esteem on these websites:

• ReachOut
• Headspace

Relationship issues​

You can get online support and self-help programs through:

• Beyond Blue — peer support forums, including one on relationship and family issues
• Breakup Shakeup — a mobile phone app developed by ReachOut
• e-couch — online programs developed by the Australian National University

Support can also be found by calling:

• Mensline Australia — 1300 78 99 78
• 1800Respect — 1800 737 732
• Relationships Australia — 1300 364 277

Bullying and harassment​

Online resources for bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault support include:

• 1800Respect
• Beyond Blue
• Lifeline

Work or study stress​

You can find resources, support, and self-help activities on the Headspace website.

Black Dog Institute also offers a range of mental health training programs for the workplace.

Many workplaces offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a confidential support for their employees. It might be worth checking to see if your workplace has this.

Often places of study like schools, universities and TAFE colleges have their own support services. It would be worth checking these out. Or try these resources:

• ReachOut — a quiz for people studying
• Headspace — how to lower stress and prepare for exams

Financial stress​

Online resources include:

• Money Smart
• Centrelink

If you are struggling financially, you can also access support with needs like food and housing through different organisations such as:

• Ask Izzy
• St Vincent de Paul Society
• The Salvation Army

Gambling Support

• Gambling Help Online — 1800 858 858

Substance abuse​

To speak with someone about substance abuse and mental health, you can call:

• National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline — 1800 250 015
• Family Drug Support — 1300 368 186

You can find online support at:

• Counselling Online
• Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
• Narcotics Anonymous Australia
• Department of Health and Aged Care on how to quit smoking

Grief and loss​

• Griefline — 1300 845 745
• Beyond Blue
• Headspace

Depression and anxiety​

• Black Dog Institute
• Beyond Blue
• Understanding Anxiety
• This Way up
• MindSpot Clinic
• BluePages

Personality disorders​

Resources for personality disorders are available:

• National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder Australia (NEABPD-Australia)
• Australian BPD Foundation
• ReachOut — support service for young people
• SANE Australia

Trauma and post-traumatic mental health​

• Phoenix Australia
• Blue Knot Foundation — recovery from complex trauma

Eating disorders​

Support and resources for eating disorders are available:

• National Eating Disorders Collaboration
• Butterfly Foundation

You can also call the Butterfly Foundation helpline on 1800 33 4673.

Young people​

If you are a young person who needs support, there are services available:

• ClearlyMe is an app designed for teens aged 12 to 17 years, providing coping strategies and tools to help with negative thinking, low mood and difficulties relaxing.
• ReachOut.com is a youth mental health service. Visit their website for online help.
• Headspace provides mental health support for those aged 12 to 25 years. Visit their website, call them on 1800 650 890, or make an appointment at your nearest headspace centre.
• Kids Helpline is available for those aged 5 to 25 years. Visit their website or call them on 1800 55 1800.

Parents or guardians​

There are mental health resources for parents, carers and guardians. You can:

• visit the COPE website
• visit the Beyond Blue Relationship and family issues peer support forum

Pregnant people and new parents

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. Call 1300 726 306.

Veterans and their loved ones:

• Open Arms provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partners and families. Call 1800 011 046.

Older people​

If you are caring for an older person with a mental health condition, you can visit My Aged Care for support and information.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples​

You can visit the 13YARN website, or call on 13 92 76, for mental health support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

LGBTQIA+​

If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you can visit:

• the Rainbow Door website to connect to different services
• the QLife Website to speak with someone online, or call on 1800 184 527
• TransHub — ACON's digital trans and gender diverse platform.

People living with disability​

• Visit the Disability Gateway website for mental health support for people living with disabilities.

__________________________

This is by no means an exhaustive list; however, it is hopefully a helpful starting point. Take care of yourselves and don't ever be ashamed of speaking up – acknowledging you need some help and seeking it out is one of the bravest things you can do.

Quite aside from the above – my PMs are always open if you ever feel like a chat.

Take care,
Scythe

 

[Daemon]

Thank you for providing this space and exhaustive list Scythe.

 

[Proper Gander]

If I might add something here that I have learned the hard way - and believe there are stats to support it (though can’t produce them).

If you become worried that a friend of family member is slipping into depression, this is a time to reach out (I get that people are uncomfortable about interfering with someone’s life, and the response might not be great, but it’s worth it to avoid the risks).

Likewise, if a family or friend has been profoundly depressed and seems to be emerging from it, this is great but keep a lookout for them and don’t assume the risk isn’t there.

People that are profoundly clinically depressed, even catatonic, rarely hurt themselves badly at that time - if you can’t face the challenge of cleaning your teeth you likewise can’t get it together to plan serious self harm. People who do damage themselves, often permanently, do so when they are becoming very depressed or emerging from serious depression when they have the capacity to plan and execute.

So if you have a mate or family member who has a serious depressive episode, and it’s not uncommon, keep an eye out - even if you keep asking them how they are doing and they say they are fine. It’s a dangerous time.

And nobody likes invading someone’s privacy, but the worst you can do is get it wrong and apologise. Much better than leaving it be and getting it wrong.