Mental health and wellness resources
Mental health support lines
These free support lines provide support and advice. See our full list at the bottom of the page for more.
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Line 1800 512 348
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Down syndrome and Mental Health guide
The Down syndrome and Mental Health guide talks about what people with Down syndrome and their families can do to support good mental health, as well as help identify when professional support might be required.
You can download the Down syndrome and Mental Health guide here.
Look after your mental health during Coronavirus
This Easy Read guide was developed by the New South Wales Council for Intellectual Disability.
You can read the guide online here.
You can download a PDF copy of the Easy Read guide here.
Coronavirus: Looking after your mental health
This Easy Read guide was developed by the Victorian government.
You can read the Coronavirus guide here.
Healthy Mind Easy Read website
Healthy Mind is an online Easy Read tool for building good mental health. There are activities and resources to help with managing stress, worry and other feelings.
You can visit the Healthy Mind website here.
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue have a Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service with trained counsellors and other forms of support.
You can call the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 512 348
You can also join online discussion forums about Coronavirus and mental health.
The Beyond Blue website offers more information about online support services.
You can contact the Beyond Blue Support Service for support by phone and webchat on 1300 22 4636.
Head to Health
Head to Health is an online mental health resource and provides information about Coronavirus, coping and mental wellness.
You can visit the Head to Health COVID-19 Support page here.
World Health Organisation mental health resources
The World Health Organisation has developed easy to understand resources to support mental health and coping with stress during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Coping with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak (poster)
Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak (poster)
Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak (PDF)
Support for carers
Carer wellbeing is essential during this time. It is important for you to think about ensuring that you have an emergency plan. If you receive a carers allowance you should be receiving additional government financial supports.
Carers Australia
For more information on carer wellbeing, creating an emergency plan and government funding, visit the Carers Australia website.
Visit the Carers Australia website here.
If you are supporting a person with Down syndrome you may find this COVID-19 advice for carers helpful.
You can follow the COVID-19 Advice for Carers here.
Organisations who can help
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
A crisis support service offering short term support at any time for people who are having difficulty coping or staying safe.
www.lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue 1800 512 348
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.
https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Headspace 1800 650 893
Online and webchat support and counselling for 12-25 year olds, their family and friends.
www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
Mensline 1300 78 99 78
MensLine – professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. MensLine online counselling.
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Mindspot 1800 61 44 34
A free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression and can help you find local services. Mindspot
(8am – 8pm, Monday – Friday; 8am-6pm, Saturday).
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
A mental health support, call back service.
Call or connect online at suicidecallbackservice.org.au (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
How to look after yourself during COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, people are facing many changes to their life. It can be difficult to have changes to your routines or not to be able to see friends or family.
Not being able to see the people that you usually see can make you feel lonely or sad.
If you are feeling this way you should let other people know. It is a good idea to try to stay connected. Some things that might be helpful include:
Staying connected:
Staying in touch with family and friends through social media, email or video calls.
Connecting to online groups and talking to people in similar situations
Staying active
Making sure you are getting enough exercise. This might include doing exercise at home (yoga, pilates, etc) or going for walks by yourself or a close family member.
Staying busy
It can be helpful to keen a good structure for your day. Plan out what you will do each day.
You might want to learn a new skill, read books, play new games, or do crafts.
Being kind to yourself
It is normal to feel sad or worried during these times. We are all getting used to a lot of changes. Make sure to not be hard on yourself.
If you need support let someone know. You can talk to a friend or make an appointment with a counsellor.