resources
I am not a crisis service and cannot offer crisis interventions. I therefore may not be the best fit for your needs. Here are some resources you might find helpful, when looking for mental health supports.
please note I try to keep this updated, but information may not always be up to date.
helplines
NOTE
Be warned that often police are sent out with crisis support teams and emergency services, even when only calling for an ambulance. More info; https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/when-police-are-called-because-of-your-mental-health-condition (Victoria based information, please note this will differ state by state)
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks:
13YARN provides 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. Call 13 92 76.
Thirrili provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the aftermath of suicide or other fatal critical incidents. Call 1800 805 801, 24 hours/7 days a week.
Emergency
Use for crisis, life and death/emergency, there are so many other avenues for mental health support
Ambulance or fire (or police)
000
24 hours, 7 days.
Suicide Line Victoria
People affected by or experiencing suicide and suicidality
1300 651 251
24 hours, 7 days
Suicide Call Back Service
crisis support and counselling for those experiencing suicidality/suicidal thoughts
1300 659 467
24 hrs, 7 days
NURSE-ON-CALL
Expert health advice from a nurse
1300 60 60 24
24 hours, 7 days.
They can also connect you with the CATT (the crisis assessment and treatment team)
Beyond Blue
Depression anxiety and mental health services
1300 22 4636
24 hours, 7 days.
Lifeline
Crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support
131114
24 hours, 7 days.
Safe Steps
Family violence support
1800 015188
24 hrs, 7 days
QLife
Free Australia wide LGBTIQ+ service
3PM - 12AM, 7 days per week
Call: 1800 184 527
Webchat online: via QLife
Rainbow Door
Free Victorian LGBTIQA+ Service
10AM - 5PM, 7 days per week (closed some public holidays)
Call: 1800 729 367
Send SMS: 0480 017 246
Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
National sexual assault support
https://1800respect.org.au
Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and webchat.
Phone: 1800 737 732. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria
Victim-survivors of past and recent sexual assault
1800 806 292
5pm-9am, 7 days
FriendLine
supports anyone who's feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat
7 days a week
1800 424 287
low cost counselling
Mental Health Workers for Palestine
Free, once off debriefing by Naarm based practitioners who are actively pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide, and anti-oppression.
Can be over the phone, online or face to face.
You can receive one free debriefing session with myself through this service, just ask for Han
Talk Shop
psychologists who provide access to high-quality counselling and psychology
Bulk bill stream (free) has a waitlist, low cost stream has no waitlist (out of pocket with medicare about $100-120).
Iceberg foundation
https://www.theicebergfoundation.org/service-page/concession-sessions?referral=service_list_widget
Low cost sessions are $100, accessible for all clients.
NO COST sessions for LGBTIQA+ refugees, asylum seekers, forcibly displaced people from BIPOC backgrounds. Get in touch at manaya@theicebergfoundation.org
New View psychology
$50
No waitlist, unlimited sessions, multiple locations.
Melbourne psychology and counselling
No referral needed
$50
Coburg location
Universities
Most universities have a low cost psychology centre, where you see provisional psychologists in their last years of training. This is open to everyone, not just students at that uni.
Immediate capacity:
ACAP: https://www.acap.edu.au/applied-psychology/psychology/psychology-clinic/appointments-fees/
If you are a student, you can usually see a free student counsellor. Call the student team.
Others that I wouldn't necessarily recommend but are free
Headspace
Orygen
Beyond Blue
MIND
Locals services - vic gov
Mostly regional and rural areas, or outer areas
You can self refer or your GP can refer you.
Can be confusing to access, but can get free services once you are in the door.
community support groups
ALT2SU
Support group for those experiencing suicidal ideation/suicidality, The Alternatives to Suicide approach and groups are separate and very different from traditional mental health services and suicide prevention overall.
1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FUNudrtOdxjq_0clzA9p5Uv9h5y-KHed/view (IRL @ Catalyst every sunday)
2. https://alt2su-nsw.net/support-groups/ (online options, inc LGBTIQ+ only group)
3. https://www.instagram.com/blackfullaalt2su/
bulk billing GPs
These days, most GP’s are “mixed billing” - meaning you only qualify for bulk billing if you have a concession card. Call the clinic if unsure.
List of mixed bulk billing: https://www.hotdoc.com.au/find/bulk-billing-doctor/VIC/melbourne-3000
List of full bulk billing: https://beat.com.au/a-growing-list-of-fully-bulk-billing-doctors-in-melbourne/
actually great GP’s (not bulk billed tho)
https://healthengine.com.au/doctor/vic/airport-west/dr-layilla-osman/p118671
https://www.halaxy.com/profile/dr-shiromi-wimalaguna/gp-general-practitioner/321685?clinic=321086
long term counselling
Huge directory here; https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pwk5duhfXl6MUUhsuXM6mB6wfeTsXfsusRdPH-xO4TE/edit
Cultural/BIPOC services
Shifa Project, Palestinian run, if you are Palestinian, they can connect u with free services - https://shifaproject.org.au/
Free therapy for Palestinians - https://www.ruhcare.com/palestine
Iceberg (led by POC staff, BIPOC therapists available) - https://www.theicebergfoundation.org/
Grow Gently (First Nations therapist) - https://www.growgentlycounselling.com/
Kerri Parke - https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/counselling/kerri-parke-parramatta-nsw/756012
Mikel Moss - https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/victoria/melbourne/mikel-moss
Walter Carter - https://www.freeformcounselling.com.au/about
Ishma Alvi - https://www.ishmaalvipsychology.com.au/
Mish @ Niram https://www.niram.com.au/mish
Sayaka @ Umeed https://www.umeedpsychology.com.au/sayakasayeed
Rashida @ Flow state space https://www.flowstatespace.com/
Kodi https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/counselling/kodi-duruchukwu-newtown-nsw/1295406
Eden Brown https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/counselling/brown-eden-psychotherapy-carlton-vic/1044038
Ally therapists
Tahlia @ https://therapyshmerapy.com.au/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/counselling/elliott-mcmahon-coburg-north-vic/1294692
worksheets, resources and readings to do alone or with community
Full drive here; https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1tbCDOIvkVpy-5wQalhgrwAW2lsrdXANm
miscellaneous resources
Non-carceral and alternative wellness services; https://strongeruwellness.com/
Online free CBT for insomnia; https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/insomnia-program/
Online free CBT for eating disorders; https://eclinic.insideoutinstitute.org.au/
https://www.liberationhealingseattle.com/how-to-heal-from-trauma-without-therapy
https://commonslibrary.org/theres-no-place-for-burnout-in-a-burning-world/
https://commonslibrary.org/impacts-of-activism-on-health-and-wellbeing/