General Support
Is it time for help?
Mental health matters. Taking care of our mental health aids in our resilience and recovery from anything that happens. However, with the lives that we lead right now, mental illness is common. One in five Australians experience mental illness every year, and 45 percent of Australian adults will be affected by mental illness at some time in their life.
Whilst these statistics are alarming in themselves, we don’t really know the full extent of our mental health concerns since the pandemic has begun.
What we do know is that in addition to the everyday stressors, COVID-19 has affected our lives in many ways. Stress, confusion, and anger are commonplace as a result of the pandemic.
If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed or finding life difficult, it is important to ask for professional help from someone who is trained to look after peoples’ mental health and wellbeing.
In an emergency where there is an immediate risk of harm to a person, call Triple Zero (000).
Get help early as some challenging issues can turn into more serious conditions if they are not addressed quickly.
Most people with mental health issues access mental health services through their general practitioner (GP) or primary care provider. People with more serious symptoms may be referred to specialist mental health services.
In addition to the local services and resources listed below, please also look at our directory for Mental Health services for further support (where you can search for practitioners based on availability amongst other things).
Source: Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | Mental health (dhhs.vic.gov.au)
Community Mental Health Team
Target Market
Adults in the Barwon Region
Barwon Health’s Adult Mental Health Services provide community and in-patient services for people aged between 16 and 65 years, affected by serious complex mental illness.
Key areas of Support
Five community based adult mental health teams provide services to the Barwon sub-region.
The teams are multi-disciplinary and service a specific geographical area.
Service delivery includes the following:
- Comprehensive crisis Assessment
- Crisis Management & Treatment
- Case Management of complex issues
- Continuing Care
- Mobile Support & Treatment
- Mobile Clinical Rehabilitation
Head to Help
Target Market
A free service available to all Victorians
Head to Help is an intake, advice and referral service.
HeadtoHelp – It’s OK if you’re not feeling OK – Call 1800 595 212
Key areas of Support
When a person calls HeadtoHelp on 1800 595 212, an experienced mental health professional will listen and work with them to find the best ways to get the help they need.
Depending on a person’s needs, they may:
- be connected with suitable existing services
- receive care at a HeadtoHelp hub (North Geelong), either onsite or through telehealth
- be connected to specialist or acute mental health services, including into emergency care.
Low Intensity Mental Health Support
Target Market
Suitable for adults of all ages and abilities (free service)
Available to anyone within the Western Victorian region. You do not require NDIS, or other Government funding to apply for this mental health support service with genU.
Key areas of Support
Once eligibility is confirmed, you will be able to access eight sessions of intervention and opt to access to a 4-6 week group program.
- Individual support for those presenting with mild/low levels of psychological distress (face to face or telehealth)
- Group programs: These aim to improve mental health and wellbeing by providing you with psychoeducation, improve insight, work on capacity building to access support and services as needed, and improve overall functioning.
Parents Beyond Breakup
Target Market
Parents and Grandparents
Parents Beyond Breakup is charity that supports parents experiencing trauma related to family breakdown and separation.
Key areas of Support
Parents Beyond Breakup not only supports parents experiencing trauma through family breakdown and separation anxiety but also acknowledges the specific issue of parent-child contact and custody battles commonly termed ‘parental alienation’, a factor closely linked to stress, separation anxiety, depression, isolation and suicide in Australia.
They run three programs, all with access to a Helpline and peer support groups:
Healthy Minds Geelong's vision is to create a positive culture of mental health across the Geelong region.
The HMG concept was born to fill the gap in local mental health support services and in particular the need for a dedicated local information hub to help connect the community to local services, navigate the mental health care system and ultimately empower people to look after their mental health.