Victoria
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: 4th 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
SuicideLine – 1300 651 251
* 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 services
General
Government mental health services in Victoria are located in hospitals. These services are called Community Mental Health Service or Continuing Care, Clinical and Consultancy Service (CCCCS). These groups can provide an initial assessment and help for your problem or can refer you on to other services.
Search for the Community Mental Health Service (or CCCCS) in your area at: www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/index.htm.
Psychologists & mental health practitioners
Directory of bilingual mental health professionals
Web: www.vtpu.org.au/resources/bilingualdirectory.html
Lists the mental health professionals in Victoria who speak languages other than English.
Better Health Channel
Web: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Visit this website to search for a health professional in Victoria. More than 38 000 health professionals are listed on this database. To find help, click on "Health services" in the left menu.
The Australian Psychological Society referral service
Tel: 03 8662 3300 (Melbourne) | 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 Victoria who offer the services you want (eg, cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy for depression). Alternatively, you can search by entering the name of your suburb (or town).
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
Email: enquiries@mhri.edu.au
Web: 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).
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.
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.
SuicideLine
Tel: 1300 651 251 (24 hour service)
Web: www.suidideline.org.au
Provides crisis counselling, support, information, and referral.
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 Victorian universities provide counselling services for their students. Some also provide counselling services to their staff.
University of Ballarat
Tel: 03 5327 9470 – Ararat, Horsham, Mt Helen & Stawell campuses
Tel: 03 5327 8206 – SMB campus
Web: www.ballarat.edu.au/aasp/student/sds/counselling/counselling.shtml
Deakin University
Tel: 03 9244 6300 – Melbourne campus
Tel: 03 5227 1221 or 03 5227 1223 – Geelong campus at Waurn Ponds
Tel: 03 5227 8400 – Geelong Watefront campus
Tel: 03 5563 3256 – Warrnambool campus
Web: www.deakin.edu.au/studentlife/counselling
LaTrobe University
Tel: 03 9479 2956
Email: counselling@latrobe.edu.au
Web: www.latrobe.edu.au/counselling
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
Tel: 03 9925 4365
Web: www.rmit.edu.au/counselling
University of Melbourne
Tel: 03 8344 6927 or 03 8344 6928 | Free call: 1800 671 559 (Rural students)
Web: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/counsel/index.html
Monash University
Tel: 03 9904 7019 – Berwick campus
Tel: 03 9903 2500 – Caulfield campus
Tel: 03 9905 3156 – Clayton campus
Tel: 03 9902 6425 or 03 5122 6425 – Gippsland campus
Tel: 03 9903 9635 – Parkville campus
Tel: 03 9904 4223 – Peninsula campus
Tel: 1300 361 008 (After hours telephone counselling)
Web: www.adm.monash.edu.au/community-services/counselling
Swinburne University of Technology
Tel: 03 9726 1710 – Croydon campus
Tel: 03 9214 8025 – Hawthorn campus
Tel: 03 5957 1800 – Healesville campus
Tel: 03 9215 7101 – Lilydale campus
Tel: 03 9214 6734 – Prahran campus
Tel: 03 9210 1293 – Wantirna campus
Web: www.swin.edu.au/stuserv/counselling
Victoria University of Technology
Tel: 03 9919 2399 – St Albans campus
Tel: 03 9919 8801 – Footscray Nicholson campus
Tel: 03 9919 4418 – Footscray Park campus
Web: www.vu.edu.au/Current_Students/Support_Services/Counselling_Services/index.aspx
Public service providers
University of Ballarat Psychology Clinic
Tel: 03 5309 1915 or 0418 144 435
Web: www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/bssh/clinic
The University of Ballarat Psychology Clinic provides psychological services for the general public. In most instances psychological services will be provided by registered probationary psychologists, who are currently undertaking advanced training in the Master of Psychology and Doctor of Psychology programs in clinical psychology. All services provided are closely supervised by a team of highly experienced registered psychologists, who have doctoral level professional qualifications in clinical psychology.
LaTrobe University Psychology Clinic
Tel: 03 9479 2150
Web: www.latrobe.edu.au/psy/clinic
The Psychology Clinic operates as part of the advanced professional training program for Masters and Doctoral students in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology. Therapy is carried out by Master of Psychology and Doctoral provisional psychologists who are supervised by experienced registered psychologists.
RMIT Psychology Clinic
Tel: 03 9925 7603
Web: www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qdt2rk5chmol
The RMIT University Psychology Clinic provides psychological services to the general public. Most of the clinical sessions are conducted by postgraduate clinical psychology students, under careful supervision of psychologists who are staff members in Psychology. Decisions about interventions are based on current research evidence and on clinical judgment about the most effective procedures.
Self help, resources, & consumer organisations
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.
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.
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.
PaNDA. Post and Antenatal Depression Association Inc.
Tel: 1300 726 306
Email: info@panda.org.au
Web: www.panda.org.au
Provides support and information to women and families affected by post and antenatal depression.
Carer organisations & services
ARAFEMI (Association of Relatives and Friends of the Emotionally and Mentally Ill)
Tel: 03 9810 9300
Tel: 1300 550 265 (ARAFEMI Carer Helpline)
Email: admin@arafemi.org.au
Web: www.arafemi.org.au
This helpline provides support and information for families, friends and carers of people with a mental illness.
Carers Victoria
Free call: 1800 242 636 (National Carer Advisory & Counselling Service)
Web: www.carersvic.org.au
Offers carer information, suport, and counselling.
Commonwealth Respite & 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
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 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.
Support groups
The Black Dog Institute maintains a list of organisations that run or coordinate mental health support groups in VIC, available at: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/gettinghelp/supportgroups.cfm#VIC.
The Better Health Channel also maintains an extensive list of general support groups. Visit the website at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au and click on "Support groups" in the left menu.
You can also contact the Collective of Self Help Groups on 03 9349 2301 (Wednesdays & Thursdays) or by email at info@cohg.org.au for information about self help and support groups available in Victoria. For more information, visit their website at www.coshg.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.
GROW
Tel: 03 9528 2977 | Free call: 1800 558 268
Email: vic@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.
Soft Pathway: Self support groups for sufferers of depression and anxiety
Tel: 0431 523 058
Email: selfhelp@softpathway.com.au
Web: www.softpathway.com.au
A non-profit organisation which helps people with depression and anxiety through supportive groups run by trained volunteers.
Private service providers
Melbourne Clinical Hypnotherapy
Tel: 03 9853 3221
Email: melbourneclinicalhypnotherapy@hotmail.com
Web: www.melbourneclinicalhypnotherapy.com.au
Provides hypnotherapy consultations for anxiety and panic attacks, relationship issues, addiction, phobias, low self confidence, and other conditions. See the website for more information.