Australian Capital Territory
Help for depression
EMERGENCY HELP
Mental health services
Psychologists & mental health practitioners
Medications advice
Telephone counselling & helplines
University counselling services (for students)
Public service providers
Self help, resources, & consumer organisations
Carer organisations & services
Community courses
Support groups
Private service providers
Disclaimer: This directory is designed for information purposes only. The BluePages team is not responsible for, and does not necessarily endorse or recommend the practitioners and services listed here. Although the BluePages team strives to keep the directory up to date, no guarantee is given about the relevance and accuracy of the directory listings provided. Directory last reviewed: 3rd September, 2009.
Emergency help
If you are feeling suicidal or need urgent help call one of the following:
Emergency – 000*
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Kids HelpLine – 1800 55 1800
Salvo Care Line – 1300 36 36 22
* If you are using a mobile phone and 000 doesn't work, you can call 112 to access the Emergency Call Service. If you have a hearing or speech impairment and can access a TTY (teletypewriter), call 106 for the text-based Emergency Call Service.
Mental Health Triage Service / Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team
Tel: 02 6205 1065 or 1800 629 354 (24 hour service)
The Mental Health Triage Service can connect you to the mental health service in the ACT that is most suitable for you (eg, crisis service, different regional mental health services, child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS), older persons mental health service).
Mental health services
General
The ACT government provides free community-based mental health services and inpatient psychiatric services at Canberra and Calvary Hospitals for urgent care.
For more information, download the Mental Health ACT Services Directory (PDF file) from: http://health.act.gov.au/mentalhealth.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Triage (CAMHS)
Tel: 02 6205 1971
For people up to the age of 18 years – assists with emotional, behavioural, psychiatric concerns.
Psychologists & mental health practitioners
The Australian Psychological Society referral service
Free call: 1800 333 497 (outside Melbourne)
Email: referral@psychology.org.au
Web: www.psychology.org.au/ReferralService/About
The Australian Psychological Society offers a referral service. They will provide the names of private psychologists in the ACT who offer the services you want (eg, cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy for depression). Alternatively, use the online search on the website to find a practitioner in your area.
beyondblue Directory of Mental Health Practitioners
Tel: 1300 22 4636 (Info Line)
Web: www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=107.1007
For the cost of a local call, the beyondblue info line provides callers with access to information and referral to relevant services for depression and anxiety related matters. Visit the above website to find the relevant Mental Health Practitioner in your area.
Medications advice
Psychotropic Drug Advisory Service
Tel: 03 9388 1633 (STD charges may apply)
Email: enquiries@mhri.edu.au
Web: http://www.mhri.edu.au/psychotropic.htm
Provides advice to medical practitioners and the general public on choosing treatments, response, side effects of medications and interactions with other medications; as well as information on using medications by special groups such as children and adolescents, the elderly and women who are pregnant or breast feeding. The service can be contacted via email or by phoning the Mental Health Research Institute number given above and asking to be transferred to the Drug Advisory Service.
Telephone counselling & helplines
beyondblue Info Line
Tel: 1300 22 4636 (24 hour service)
For the cost of a local call, the beyondblue info line provides callers with access to information and referral to relevant services for depression and anxiety related matters (not a counselling service).
CEAS (Canberra Emergency Accomodation Service)
Tel: 02 6257 2333 (Lifeline Canberra)
Web: www.act.lifeline.org.au/ceas.htm
Lifeline Canberra offers a specific telephone counselling, information and referral service to people in Canberra and the local region who find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness and who require the support of specialist crisis accommodation services.
Kids Helpline
Tel: 1800 55 1800 (24 hour service)
Web: www.kidshelp.com.au
Provides specialised help for young people aged 5 to 25 years, and is staffed by professional counsellors. Daily web-counselling available (see website for current times) and email counselling (not for crisis).
Lifeline
Tel: 13 11 14 (24 hour service)
Web: www.justlook.org.au
Volunteers with professional support, trained in responding to callers concerned about suicide. Provides general counselling and referrals to services in caller's local community.
MensLine
Tel: 1300 789 978 (24 hour service)
Web: www.menslineaus.org.au
Provided by professional staff. The website also includes moderated forums with specific spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Vietnamese and Arabic men, rural men, partners/children.
Parentline ACT
Tel: 02 6287 3833
Web: http://parentlineact.org.au
Provides support to any person involved in the care of children and for any family issues. Initial phone contact is with professional counsellors. Can provide phone counselling and referral and arrange follow-up within their service including some face to face counselling and phone support through trained volunteers. Some after hours appointments are available.
Salvo Care Line
Tel: 1300 363 622 (24 hour service)
Calls are answered by trained counsellors. Provides counselling, information, and referral.
SANE Mental Illness Helpline
Tel: 1800 18 SANE (1800 18 7263)
Web: www.sane.org/helpline/helpline/helpline.html
Provides information and referral for callers concerned about mental illness anywhere in Australia (not a counselling service).
Suicide Call Back Service
Tel: 1300 659 467
Web: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
The Suicide Call Back Service is a free nation-wide telephone support service for people at risk of suicide, their carers and people bereaved by suicide. It suports callers through a series of six 50-minute telephone counselling sessions, scheduled to suit the caller. Some after hours appointments are available.
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service
Tel: 1800 011 046
Web: www.dva.gov.au/health_and_wellbeing/health_programs/vvcs/Pages/index.aspx
Run by the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service (DVA) and diverts to Lifeline afterhours. For all veteran and currently serving defence force officers and those in personal relationship with them.
University counselling services (for students)
The following universities provide counselling services for their students. Some also provide counselling for their staff.
The Australian National University (ANU) Counselling service
Tel: 02 6125 2442
Email: Counselling.Centre@anu.edu.au
Web: www.anu.edu.au/counsel
The University of Canberra (UC) Health and Counselling Centre
Tel: 02 6201 2351
Web: www.canberra.edu.au/health-counselling
Public service providers
The Australian National University Psychology Clinic
Tel: 02 6125 0412
Web: http://psychology.anu.edu.au/psychology_clinic.php
Therapy is provided at low cost (group or individual). No fees apply for initial assessments. Sessions may be conducted by postgraduate students in clinical psychology under supervision.
The Canberra Hospital Women's Wellness Group
Tel: 02 6244 2309
Email: Kerry.Leahan@act.gov.au
Web: www.communitiesonline.org.au/calendar/view_group.php?id=690
Provides a 12 week cognitive behaviour therapy program for women with depression.
Self help, resources, & consumer organisations
The Citizens Advice Bureau of ACT maintains a database of community services available in the ACT, and provides referral and support to ACT residents. Search for "mental health" at www.citizensadvice.org.au or call 02 6248 7988 for a referral.
ACT Mental Health Consumer Network Inc
Tel: 02 6230 5796
Email: actmhcn@netspeed.com.au
Web: www.actmhcn.org.au
The ACt Mental Health Consumer Network Inc advises and trains both Government and non-government agencies to improve delivery of mental health services.
Day to Day Living Program
Tel: 02 6257 0512 – Canberra City
Tel: 02 6293 1299 – Southside
Email: canberradaytodayliving@sfnsw.org.au (Canberra City) or michael.latimer@bcsact.com.au
Provides social, recreational and educational support for people with persistent mental health problems.
e-couch Personal Self Help
Web: www.ecouch.anu.edu.au
An interactive, evidence-based, self help program that includes modules for social anxiety and generalised anxiety, as well as depression. It provides self help interventions drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity. e-couch is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
Headspace ACT
Tel: 02 6201 5343
Email: headspaceACT@canberra.edu.au
Web: www.headspace.org.au/act
Provides information and assistance for young people experiencing mental health and/or substance issues and their families.
JobAccess
Tel: 1800 464 800
Web: www.jobaccess.gov.au
Provides advice on matters relating to the employment of people with a disability, including those with mental health conditions. The website includes information on practical workplace solutions to overcome barriers in the workplace as well as access to the Australian Government funding via the Workplace Modification Scheme.
Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT
Tel: 02 6249 7756
Email: admin@mhccact.org.au
Web: www.mhccact.org.au
A mental health advocacy group representing not-for-profit community mental health groups and services in the ACT.
Mental Health Community Education (ACT Health)
Tel: 02 6205 1178
ACT Health provides education programs for consumers, health professionals, and the broader community to improve understanding of mental health and illness. Ring the above number to ocntact the Community Education and Development Officer.
Mental Health Foundation ACT Inc
Tel: 02 6282 6658
Web: www.mhf.org.au/mhf
Provides information and a referral service, and hosts support groups, workshops, and outreach support programs.
MoodGYM Training Program
Web: www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
An interactive, evidence-based program for depression which incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy. Research has found MoodGYM to be helpful in reducing symptoms of depression in users (See Online Prevention). MoodGYM is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
Reality Check
Web: http://realitycheck.net.au
Information and resources for mental health for young people.
Skills for Life Program
Tel: 02 6282 6658
Email: info@mhf.org.au
Web: www.mhf.org.au
The Skills for Life program provides assistance for those with depression and/or anxiety conditions.
Carer organisations & services
Carers ACT
Tel: 02 6296 9900 | Free call: 1800 242 636 (National Carer Advisory Service)
Web: www.carersact.asn.au
Offers counselling, resources, respite.
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Free call: 1800 022 022 (National)
Emergency respite: 1800 059 059
Web: www9.health.gov.au/ccsd
Provides free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available anywhere within Australia.
Mental health community education courses
LifeForce Suicide Prevention Program
Tel: 1800 100 024
Email: lifeforce@wesleymission.org.au
Web: www.wesleylifeforce.org
Provides training programs for preventing suicide in the community.
LivingWorks Suicide Intervention Training
Web: www.lifeline.org/learn_more/livingworks
LivingWorks is a Lifeline national service. It provides community training to equip people to help persons at risk of suicide keep safe and acess further support.
Mental Illness Education ACT
Tel: 02 6257 1195
Email: mieact@mieact.org.au
Web: www.mieact.org.au
Provides education programs on mental health and illness to schools and community groups.
Mental Health First Aid
Web: www.mhfa.com.au
Provides first aid courses focussing on mental health issues, including depression and suicide intervention training. Visit the website for first aid strategies for helping someone going through a mental health crisis.
VYNE @ OzHelp Foundation
Tel: 02 6251 4166 or 1300 OZHELP (1300 694 357)
Email: vyne@ozhelp.org.au
Web: www.ozhelp.org.au
Provides education and training programs in suicide awareness and prevention.
Support groups
The Black Dog Institute maintains a list of organisations that run or coordinate mental health support groups in NSW, available at: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/gettinghelp/supportgroups.cfm#AUSTRALIAN.
Alternatively, search for "support group" on the Citizen Advice Bureau website at www.citizensadvice.org.au.
You can also contact SHOUT (Self Help Organisations United Together) on 02 6290 1984 for information and referral to self help and support groups available in the ACT. For more information, visit their website at www.shout.org.au.
Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
Web: www.aa.org.au
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
BlueBoard Bulletin Board
Web: www.blueboard.anu.edu.au
An online support group for people affected by depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. It aims to reduce stigma, and to provide support, hope and opportunities for sharing successful coping strategies. The group is run as a moderated bulletin board with strict protocols to enhance safety and privacy. Forums for carers are also available. BlueBoard is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
Dads In Distress Inc
Tel: 1300 853 437
Email: dids@nor.com.au
Web: www.dadsindistress.asn.au
A support group for fathers experiencing distress due to divorce or separation. Members meet weekly.
GROW
Tel: 02 6295 7791 | Free call: 1800 558 268
Email: act@grow.net.au
Web: www.grow.net.au
A self-help organisation for people who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses. Grow is based on a 12 step self-help program. Members meet weekly at Narrabundah, Braddon, Belconnen, and Woden.
PANDSI (Post & Antenatal Depression Support and Information Inc)
Tel: 02 6232 6664
Email: info@pandsi.org.au
Web: www.pandsi.org.au
PANDSI conducts weekly support groups, exercise and support groups, telephone support and information.
Private service providers
Calvary Hospital: Hyson Green Day Program
Tel: 02 6201 6000
The Hysen Green Medical Unit at Calvary Hospital runs programs for overcoming depression, managing anxiety, relapse prevention, eating disorders, postnatal depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Fees apply.