Mental health and wellbeing support

Over the last year an increasing number of people are reporting feeling worried, fearful, anxious or uncertain. These feelings are often normal responses to stressful situations and usually get better over time.

But sometimes negative feelings can get a bit too much or go on for longer than they should, so it’s good to be aware of mental health signs and symptoms for yourself and those close to you. 

This information is designed to help you understand what to look out for and where you can get help if you or a loved one needs support.

Early signs and symptoms

Some signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for include: 

  • Feeling overwhelmed, sad, tired or moody
  • Feeling fearful or worried about the safety of yourself or others
  • Having vivid or distressing dreams 
  • Being unusually irritable or angry and/or restless and fidgety
  • Working too much or too little

If these signs or symptoms continue for more than two weeks and are beginning to impact your day-to-day life it is worth reaching out for help. Some examples of how your day-to-day life might be impacted include:

  • Loss of interest in activities that are normally enjoyed
  • Avoiding others such as withdrawing from social networks, work or family
  • Behaving out of character
  • Feeling overwhelmed by tasks that would normally be done easily
  • Being unable to concentrate
  • Having increased concern for physical health issues including for the physical health of babies if a new parent 
  • Regularly feeling sick and run down
  • Experiencing changes in sleep patterns, sleeping too much or too little
  • Changes in appetite (losing or gaining weight)
  • Increasing use of alcohol, cigarettes and/or drugs

Where to get help locally

Your GP GPs can support people to maintain health and wellbeing and identify the early signs of mental illness. With a mental health treatment plan, your GP can refer you to up to 10 Medicare rebated allied health mental health services per calendar year. They can also link you in with other services that may help you or your loved ones

Talk It Out Free phone and online counselling 24/7 to anyone 15 years and older.
Phone 1300 022 946

Head to Help  In times like these, it’s OK to be a bit uncertain. Maybe a little stressed, anxious or sad. But what if these feelings get too much or go on for a while? The sooner you HeadtoHelp, the better you’ll feel. 
Phone 1800 595 212 and find the best mental health support for you.

Sunraysia Community Health Services Mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss and life changes – emotions, self-esteem, communication, addiction and relapse, trauma, torture and abuse, including for refugees and new arrivals, parenting, pain and a GP service.
137 Thirteenth Street, Mildura
Phone 03 5022 5444

Headspace Mildura Support for 12-25 year olds.  Drop in or call to make an appointment.
2/125 Pine Avenue, Mildura
Phone 03 5021 2400

NSW Health- Far West Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service provides a range of services and programs for people living in Wentworth, and surrounding areas (Dareton, Buronga, Gol Gol, Euston) – from a hub based in Broken Hill.
Dareton Primary Health Centre
42-44 Tapio Street, Dareton NSW
Phone 03 5021 7200

Robinvale District Health Services Counselling and social work services.  The Mental Health Drop-in Clinic is a free, confidential service offered to the whole of our community. No appointments are necessary
Health and Wellbeing Centre
128-132 Latje Road, Robinvale
Phone 03 5051 8160

Mallee District Aboriginal Services Social and emotional wellbeing hub: referrals to psychological counselling, including children and young people, couples and family groups who are experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, drug and alcohol issues, or wanting to improve their overall emotional wellbeing.
120 Madden Avenue, Mildura
Phone 03 5018 4100
77 Perrin Street, Robinvale
Phone 03 4013 2000

Catholic Care
Psychological wellbeing service helping with recovery from common mental health problems 136 Lime Avenue, Mildura
Phone 03 5051 0000
enquiries@centacaremildura.org.au

Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corp- Social emotional wellbeing support, suicide prevention education and support (Kumpa Kiira Suicide Prevention Project).
51 Sturt Place, Dareton NSW
Phone 03 5027 4824

Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative- Offers a range of primary care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Robinvale, including general practice, social and emotional wellbeing, drug and alcohol counselling.
87 Latje Road, Robinvale
Phone 03 5026 3353

Standby Murray Ongoing support for individuals, families, groups, workplaces or communities bereaved or impacted by suicide.
Phone 0439 173 310

Mallee Family Care
The Community Mental Health Recovery Service supports people experiencing mental health issues. It’s designed to give practical assistance during recovery with support tailored to individual needs and circumstances. Anyone can make a referral to this service such as yourself or your doctor.
122 Ninth Street, Mildura
Phone 03 5023 5966
mentalhealth@malleefamilycare.com.au

Online and phone support

Beyond Blue offers practical advice and resources plus short term counselling and referrals by phone and webchat.
Phone 1300 22 46 36

Lifeline offers tips, resources and advice, as well as crisis and suicide support.
Phone 13 11 14

Headspace offers support and resources for 12-25 year olds plus online and telephone services.
Phone 1800 650 890

Kids Help Line offers support and resources for children, teens, young adults plus parents and carers.
Phone
 1800 55 1800

InTouch Multicultural Centre against Family Violence offers free, confidential help for migrant and refugee women who are experiencing family violence.
Phone 1800 755 988  Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
If you are in a crisis, you can call, Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (24 hours)

1800RESPECT Confidential information, counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Phone 1800 737 732

Mensline Australia Telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.
Phone 1300 789 978

Yarning SafeNStrong Confidential Phone Counselling Service for Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander Peoples. Operates 24/7, and is an initiative of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.
Phone 1800 959 563

Partners in Wellbeing telephone helpline 1300 375 330 (Monday to Friday 9am–10pm, Saturday to Sunday 9am–5pm):
If you're worried about your business, Partners in Wellbeing helpline provides one-to-one wellbeing support and free access to financial counsellors.

PANDA - Supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood.
Phone 1300 726 306

Directline- Alcohol and drug counselling and referral.
Phone 1800 888 236

QLIFE - LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral.
Phone 1800 184 527

Mental Health First Aid Training

Online Information and Training Resources

Psychological First Aid Training

Psychological First Aid is a crisis support training program that equips participants with the skills to be able to provide support to people immediately following a disaster or critical event until more appropriate professional help is available.

This link takes you to 4 short videos with COVID specific Psychological First Aid Training information.

Skills for Psychological Recovery

This link takes you to a series of videos that introduce the basics of Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR). SPR is a set of 6 strategies that can help children, adolescents, adults, caregivers and first responders cope with or recover from disasters or traumatic events like hurricanes, earthquakes, wars and accidents. These skills may also be helpful during and following a pandemic like COVID-19.

PHN Suicide Prevention Training

Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) training is designed to provide everyday people with three simple steps to help save a life from suicide.

Key components of this training include the warning signs of suicide, how to ask the suicide question, common myths and misconceptions about suicide, and how to persuade someone to stay alive. The content can bring up strong emotions and be confronting.