Resources

EMERGENCY? CALL TRIPLE ZERO – 000 – AND ASK FOR AN AMBULANCE

If you or someone you know is at high risk of dying by suicide before they can receive professional help, call one of the following mental health crisis services or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance – call triple zero (phone 000).

Lifeline – Phone 13 11 14 – free crisis support and suicide prevention – 24 hours/7 days a week

Suicide Call Back Service – Phone 1300 659 467 – 24/7 free phone and online counselling for people affected by suicide

Beyond Blue Suicide Prevention – free web-based support, information and practical advice for people contemplating suicide, after a suicide attempt or those supporting them – Phone 1300 32 4636 or chat online with the Beyond Blue Support Service every day from 3:00 PM until 12:00 AM AEDST (Sydney/Melbourne time).

1300 MH CALL – Phone 1300 642255 – 24/7 first point of contact for public mental health services

Warning signs of suicide – web-based information via healthdirect.gov.au

Care for Life – Gold Coast based suicide prevention and support services

Lifeline – Phone 13 11 14 – crisis support and suicide prevention – 24 hours/7 days a week

1800RESPECT – Phone 1800 737 732 – information and counselling 24/7 for domestic and family violence, and for sexual assault

Kids Helpline – Phone 1800 55 1800 – 24/7 support for children, adolescents, young people, and parents and carers.

DV Connect – call for assistance with domestic violence 24/7 Womensline – Phone 1800 811 811 Mensline – Phone 1800 600 636 Sexual Assault Helpline – Phone 1800 010 120

Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast – counselling and support (including phone counselling and crisis response) for women and children affected by domestic and family violence, and programs for men who perpetrate domestic violence – Phone (07) 5532 9000 (9am – 4:30pm)

1300 MH CALL – Phone 1300 642255 – 24/7 first point of contact for public mental health services

The following are resources that may be helpful if you have experienced trauma (including childhood neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse; sexual assault; and domestic and family violence), you have been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or you are supporting someone who has experienced trauma or has a diagnosis of PTSD. Gold Coast psychologist Tess Collie and counsellor Sarah Forman both utilise a trauma-informed approach to their work.

• Phoenix Australia (formerly the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health) is a non-profit organisation supporting the wellbeing and life quality of the 15 million Australians affected by trauma and PTSD. Web-based information about the effects of trauma, how you can help yourself, someone else or young people affected by trauma, treatment options (including EMDR) and other information and resources.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Therapy is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that is accepted as a ‘gold standard’ treatment approach for healing from trauma and PTSD. Information that explains EMDR and other EMDR related resources is available from the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA) and from the EMDR International Association.
• The Blue Knot Foundation empowers recovery for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse through support services, resources and education. Survivors can access the Blue Knot helpline and speak with a trauma counsellor Monday to Sunday 9am – 5pm AEST.

Free counselling, information and resources is available through the Cancer Council Queensland – phone 13 11 20.

Grieflink – information and resources for people affected by bereavement.

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement has information regarding bereavement services available in Australia.

Gold Coast Grief Support Services Network Information

Has someone you know died from suicide? Information and resources are available at the Suicide Call Back Service and Support After Suicide web sites.

Care for Life has a free guide: Support and practical guidance for those bereaved by suicide as well as a support service for those bereaved by suicide.

Information about anxiety and/or depression: causes, treatments, self-tests, and help that is available is available from the following:

Beyond Blue – Anxiety Information

Black Dog Institute – Anxiety Information

Beyond Blue – Depression Information

Black Dog Institute – Depression Information

Information about government departments and non-government organisations offering mental health services, information, resources and/or support:

BeyondBlue – Encouraging people to reach out for support to help manage anxiety and depression and to prevent suicide.

Black Dog Institute – Improving people’s lives through the promotion of mental well-being.

Head to Health – The Australian Government’s Department of Health website that provides links to free Australian resources to help with areas including: creating a meaningful life, supporting someone or yourself with mental health challenges, COVID-19 help and support, and information on areas such as addictions (including alcohol and substance abuse), anxiety and depression, trauma, eating disorders and more.

Medicare and Mental Health

Medicare and Psychological Services – a step by step guide to obtaining a GP mental health plan referral so you can obtain a rebate from Medicare for psychology sessions

Mental Health Association Qld Gold Coast Services Directory

Queensland Alliance for Mental Health

Qld Govt Mental Health Services, Counselling and Support Groups, Help Lines, Addiction Recovery and other information

The Australian Government has implemented measures to support the mental health and wellbeing of people affected by the 2019-2020 bushfires. These measures include access to Medicare rebates for visits to a psychologist (no GP mental health plan referral required).

Further information is available from the Department of Health web site.

The Black Dog Institute (Australia) has a number of evidence-based digital tools, information and resources available for anyone looking to take care of their mental health through the pandemic.

Regular updates from the Australian Government’s Department of Health concerning COVID-19) including news, information, advice and resources for everyone is available at www.health.gov.au.

The Australian Association of Psychologists has produced an easy to read guide for Maintaining Mental Health During COVID-19 Pandemic that is full of simple tips and strategies to help you cope.