Mental Health and Wellbeing

We are living in a rapidly changing world where multiple pressures including rising cost of living, increasing mental health challenges, and growing social and economic uncertainty, are shaping the everyday experiences and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
 
If you are navigating a difficult time and need some extra support from someone outside of your immediate circle, please know you are not alone and people are here to help. Please consider contacting one of the services below or even visit their website to find out more about them. 

Need help right now?

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, there are services available that can provide immediate support. You don’t have to wait for an appointment or find the “right” service first. Crisis and emergency services can provide urgent support and help you work out what to do next.

Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 13 11 14
Suicide Line 1300 651 251
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
Grampians Health Mental Health and Wellbeing Service- 1300 247 647
13 YARN: 13 92 76 (24/7 free and confidential service run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

Other helpful numbers:

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732
Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
Men's Line Australia 1300 789 978
Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491
Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
Vic Safe Steps crisis response line: 1800 015 188
13 YARN: 13 92 76 (24/7 free and confidential service run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
Parentline: 13 22 89
Maternal & Child Health Line: 13 22 29

Seeking a longer term option?

Finding a mental health service that works for you can be a little like finding the right pair of shoes - it’s about finding something that feels comfortable, suits your needs, and fits where you are at the moment.

There are many different types of mental health services and supports available. You might prefer to talk with someone face-to-face, access support online or by phone, or find a service at a location that feels comfortable and convenient for you.

Everyone’s needs are different, and it can sometimes take a few tries to find the right fit. There is support available, and there will be a service that suits you.

Explore the services below to find an option that feels right for you.

Farmgate Conversations | Northern Grampians Shire

Local | Outreach | Phone | Free | No referral | Rural Community | Northern Grampians Shire

This service is provided by Grampians Community Health. It is a free and confidential service is available to farmers, farm workers, families and rural community members living in the Northern Grampians Shire.

The service provides a safe and confidential space to talk, with one-off or ongoing counselling, practical support, assistance to connect with other services, and strategies to help you manage life’s challenges.

The Farmgate Worker can come to you or meet you at a location where you feel comfortable and that is convenient for you.

No GP referral is required to access this service.

To speak with the Farmgate Worker, phone or text 0426 307 518.

For more information, please visit the GCH Website, here - Grampians Community Health – Supporting the Grampians and Wimmera communities.

Royal Flying Doctor Wellbeing Service | St Arnaud and surrounds

Local | Outreach | Online | Phone | Free | No referral needed | St Arnaud and district

Flying Doctor Wellbeing is a free and confidential mental health and wellbeing service for people in rural and remote Victorian communities. The service provides access to qualified mental health clinicians, with appointments available face-to-face, via telehealth or by phone.

The service is available to those aged 18 and over, who live or work near St Arnaud (a service site) and who are experiencing:

  • Worry
  • Sadness
  • Stress or low mood
  • Relationship or family difficulties
  • Financial stress
  • Grief or loss
  • Concern for a family member or friend.

No GP referral is required to access this service.

To find out more or to make an appointment, contact the Flying Doctor Wellbeing team on (03) 8412 0480 or by emailing wellbeing@rfdsvic.com.au. You can find more information on their website, here: Flying Doctor Wellbeing | Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Rural Financial Counselling Service | Victoria wide

Outreach | Online | Phone | Free | No referral needed | For Primary Producers & Small Businesses | Victoria

The rural financial counsellors help farmers understand their financial position, identify opportunities and navigate challenges with confidence.

Whether you are managing financial pressure, planning for succession, negotiating with banks or exploring grants and assistance, the service provides free, confidential and independent support to help you make informed decisions. 

Wellbeing support 

The wellbeing support team works alongside the financial counsellors to provide practical support during times of pressure, uncertainty and change. The service can help: 

  • Develop strategies to cope with stress. 
  • Recognise signs of poor health in themselves and/or their workers.
  • Set up a support network within family/friends/community.
  • Identify groups/activities within the community that can help.
  • Access health services through referrals and navigate red tape. 

The wellbeing program works in conjunction with the financial counselling support. For that reason, it is limited to those on the farm or within small businesses that use the Rural Financial Counselling services.

No GP referral is required to access this service.

Request support online via Contact Us RFCS Victoria West or call 1300 735 578. You can also find out more via their website, here: RFCS Victoria West | Home. 

Rural Aid | Victoria wide

Outreach | Online | Phone | Free | No referral needed | Rural community | Victoria 

Rural Aid is dedicated to improving the mental health outcomes of rural Australia. The Mental Health and Wellbeing team is made up of experienced counsellors who are based in rural towns across the country and prefer to visit farmers on their property or places where they feel comfortable for face-to-face appointments. 

The service is free and confidential and no GP referral is required to access the service.

Rural Aid’s dedicated counselling intake line is staffed Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.

To find out more or make an appointment, please call 1300 175 594. For more information, please visit their website, here: Home - Rural Aid - Supporting Rural Communities 

 

Headspace | Victoria wide

In person | Online | Phone | Low cost | No referral needed | Young people aged between 12 and 25 years

HeadSpace provides support for mental health, physical health, work and study, and alcohol and other drug concerns for people aged between 12 and 25 years. Support is available through headspace centers and online.

With a Headspace account 24/7 access to a great range of tools and support for your mental health is available.

For a 1-on-1 chat with a trained clinician is available from 3pm to 10pm. It’s a confidential, free and a safe space to talk about what’s going on.

In person support is available at HeadSpeace Centres located in Horsham, Bendigo and Ballarat. You can find your closest center here: Find a centre - Australia wide | headspace.

For more information, please visit the HeadSpace website, here: headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter | Australia wide

Online | Phone | Free | No referral needed | Blue collar workers | Australia wide  

This is a Conversation Starter, or TIACS as they as commonly known, is a professional mental health counselling service for tradies, truckies, farmers and blue-collar workers as well as providing counselling services to anyone who may be a carer, friend or loved one of a blue-collar worker who is doing it tough. 

Initially, a worker will chat with you to understand your needs and then connect you with a counsellor who will stay with you from beginning to end. 

TIACS can provide up to eight free sessions via text or call with the same counsellor, and is available Monday to Friday between 8am and 10pm.

Simply call or text 0488 846 988 to start the conversation.  

More information can be found on their website, here: TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter 

Rural Health Connect | Australia wide

Local | Outreach | Online | Phone | Free | Referral required | Rural community | Australia wide

Rural Health Connect is an online telehealth platform and social enterprise that connects people with qualified psychologists through secure video or phone sessions. 

The service supports anyone experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns who may benefit from digital therapeutic care, particularly those in rural and remote areas, or where access to in-person support is limited. 

Support is available for children, young people, adults, and older adults experiencing a range of issues, including (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, eating disorders, physical health challenges, perinatal depression and anxiety, neurodiverse needs, stress, and addiction. 

You will need a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP to receive Medicare support for your sessions.

You can download a flyer with the referral information to show your GP here. You will then be able to access up to 10 Medicare subsidised sessions per calendar year. You can also access a GP through Rural Health Connect.  

Book online or call the service on 0493 432 144 or 0493 201 005. For mor information about the service, please visit their website, here: Connects Rural Australia to Mental Health Services

MeHelp | Australia wide

Phone | Video | Medicare | GP referral needed | Australia wide

Talk to an Australian psychologist by phone or video. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, sessions are bulk billed meaning no out-of-pocket costs. 

To start the process, simply contact MeHelp via their website, here: Bulk Billed Online Psychology Services Australia | MeHelp

Mindspot | Australia wide

Phone | Video | Medicare | GP referral needed | Australia wide

Mindspot provides care to Australian adults troubled by conditions like depression, anxiety stress, worry, panic, chronic pain and distress due to chronic health conditions.  

MindSpot offers a range of different online treatment courses which are designed to target different symptoms. You can choose to complete these courses by yourself (self-guided) or with weekly sessions with a MindSpot therapist. 

They are open from Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm, and on Saturdays between 8am and 6pm. 

If you have any questions or want to access the service, simply email contact@mindspot.org.au or call on 1800 614 434.

Beyond Blue New Access - Mental Health Coaching | Australia wide

Online | Phone | Free | Small Business Owners and Operators | Australia wide

Beyond Blue has developed a tailored mental health coaching program for small business owners.

Mental health coaching helps you build skills, confidence, and a positive mindset – just like a sports coach, but for your mental wellbeing. You’ll be matched with a specially trained mental health coach with a small business background.

The service is available by phone or online from anywhere in Australia.

For more information, please visit the Beyond Blue website, here: NewAccess | Mental Health Coaching for Small Business Owners - Beyond Blue

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