BY ERIN CONSTABLE 

A recent Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS) report found a high percentage of Australians were experiencing some form of mental anguish.

Published in August, the report found 46 per cent of Australians felt nervous on occasion throughout the first half of the year. While 41 per cent reported feeling restless or fidgety and that everything was an effort at least some of the time.

Almost one in six people (17 per cent) who reported feelings impacting their emotional and mental wellbeing had discussed these with a doctor or other health care professional.

MOJO News has compiled a list of mental health services you can access for crisis support, counselling and general information if you are struggling with mental health issues. 

If you or someone you know needs help, this list is here to help both those who are ready to reach out and those who are unsure and need more information. 

CRISIS SUPPORT

These contacts are 24/7 crisis lines to contact for immediate support. 

Your call or message will be taken by a trained crisis support expert or mental health professional, in order to assist you or de-escalate any situation you are in.  

1. Visit Lifeline Australia or call 13 11 14.

Free around-the-clock Australia-wide crisis support and suicide prevention services. 

2. Visit SuicideLine Victoria or call 1300 651 251.

Free and anonymous 24-hour crisis support across Victoria.

3. For members of the LGBTI community, visit QLife or call 1800 184 527.

Free and anonymous LGBTI peer support across Australia.

4. For young people, visit Kids Helpline or call 1800 55 1800.

Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling services for young people aged five to 25. 

5. For survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, visit 1800RESPECT or call 1800 737 732.

Free and confidential 24-hour counselling services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse. 

COUNSELLING SERVICES AND COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS

These contacts are designed for around-the-clock support, outside of a crisis. 

1. Visit the mental health page of the Monash University website.

Monash University offers on-campus, over-the-phone and online counselling and provides various programs for all staff and students struggling with mental health issues.  

2. Visit Beyond Blue or call 1300 22 4636.

A free mental health service with options to call, email, chat and join forums 24 hours a day.

3. Visit Sane Australia or call 1800 18 7263.

Phone and online counselling services for people who are living with complex mental health issues and their families. 

4. Visit Relationships Australia or call 1300 364 277.

A provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. This includes family dispute resolution, family violence prevention, counselling and contact services for children, among others.  

5. For COVID-19 support, visit Head to Health.

Provided by the Australian Department of Health, this service offers online counselling services, support and information for those struggling with their mental health. 

INFORMATIVE WEBSITES

Many of the above organisations, such as Beyond Blue, have extensive websites with information about a range of mental health issues, symptoms and support for family members or close contacts of those struggling with mental health issues.

The following websites also provide helpful information.

1. Visit Black Dog Institute.

This Australian medical research institute provides research, resources and support relating to a range of mental health disorders.

2. Visit ReachOut.com.

An online youth mental health and wellbeing service that provides information, support, resources and tools to make life easier.

Finally, it is important to remember to dial 000 if someone is in immediate danger.