If you or someone you know is in crisis and requires emergency support please call 000 within Australia.
Have a look at these websites for important information for Carers:
GOVERNMENT
The Carers Gateway is the Australian government portal for federal government support.
https://www.carergateway.gov.au
Merri Health is Victoria’s leading Carer Gateway Service. It supports carers with the flexible, individualised help they need.
https://www.merrihealth.org.au/
Carers Victoria is the state government portal for state government support services.
https://www.carersvictoria.org.au
Carers Victoria offer a range of useful training workshops for carers and those who support carers – many of them online.
https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/training-workshops
Darebin City Council offers a range of services and discounts for Carers. Do you have your Carer Card yet?
https://www.carercard.vic.gov.au/carers
NON-GOVERNMENT
Anxiety Recovery Centre (ARCVic) offers support, recovery and educational services to people and families living with anxiety disorders. Call the OCD and Anxiety Helpline on 1300 269 438 or 03 9830 0533. Monday to Friday, 10am-8:30pm.
Creative Art Therapy Australia (CATA) positively empowers and impacts the lives of people braving trauma. CATA believes creative processes can shift thinking to positive and healthy mindsets. They work with children, adolescents, families and communities braving physical, psychological and emotional trauma. CATA is aligned and partnered with local hospitals, hospices, schools and organisations working with people facing adversity.
CAREinMIND Wellbeing Support Service provides free phone and online counselling for people who live, work or study in north, west or central Melbourne. No referral is needed. Call 1300 096 269 at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) first on 131 450.
eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people, aged 12 – 25 years, and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help. Young people 12-25 years old can visit eHeadspace for free online support or call 1800 650 890.
https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
Kids Helpline Anytime. Any Reason. Kids and young people up to 25 years old can call 1800 55 1800 or chat online for support at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Carers | Carers Victoria For further information go to
Lifeline provides compassionate support for people in crisis. No judgement. No conditions. No agenda. Just a human connection to help people get through their darkest moments. Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter over the phone, any time of the day or night. Phone 13 11 14 available 24 hours / 7 days – Australia’s largest crisis support line. Lifeline Text 0477 13 11 14 available nightly – Australia’s first SMS-based Crisis Support service, any person in Australia can receive support from a Crisis Supporter by text message every night. Online chat available nightly – The online chat service is available for people who prefer to type than talk. Any person in Australia can chat with a Crisis Supporter through the Lifeline Australia website each night.
https://www.lifeline.org.au/about/our-services/
Mind is one of the country’s leading community-managed specialist mental health service providers with a range of residential, mobile outreach, centre based and online services. Mind has been supporting people living with the day-to-day impacts of mental illness, as well as their families, friends and carers for over 40 years.
https://www.mindaustralia.org.au/
Mirabel Foundation offers respite care for Kinship Carers – mostly weekends, school holiday camps and so on. Mirabel was established in Victoria in 1998. It is the only organisation in Australia specifically addressing the needs of children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family.
https://www.mirabelfoundation.org.au/
Pathways for Carers project offers carers of people with a disability or mental illness an opportunity to attend walking events in Victoria together and to learn more about news, services, and supports available to carers.
https://www.pathwaysforcarers.com.au/
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Support is available for people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing. LGBTIQ+ people can visit Rainbow Door, call 1800 729 367 between 10am-6pm every day, text 0480 017 246, or email support@rainbowdoor.org.au for non-emergency support. Also visit Qlife to chat online or call 1800 184 527 between 3pm-midnight every day.
https://www.rainbowdoor.org.au/
SuicideLine Victoria offers free counselling and support for people at risk of suicide and anyone experiencing mental health issues. Call 1300 651 251 or text/video chat online any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Tandem is the Victorian peak body representing family and friends supporting people living with mental health issues. Tandem’s mission is to provide leadership and coordination for the community of individuals and organisations who seek better outcomes for Victorian mental health carers. Tandem is a member of Mental Health Carers Australia, a national advocacy group solely concerned
https://www.tandemcarers.org.au/
Yarning Safe’n’Strong is a free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yarning SafeNStrong (YSNS) is available to people and families who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing. Available any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 959 563.
https://www.vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong/
Out Doors Inc. has been providing outdoor adventure and recreational programs for better mental health for more than 30 years.
Experienced, qualified Program Coordinators deliver programs that include bushwalking, bike riding, rafting, hiking, cross-country skiing, rock climbing & abseiling, surfing, and creative programs that includes bush art and music as a means of providing rehabilitation, skill development and integration in the community.
https://www.outdoorsinc.org.au/