Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mental Health Information and Support

It is a challenging and unsettling time for all Australians, and people across the world. COVID-19 is continuing to impact us all as we rapidly adapt to new ways of life. We have combined resources from organisations across Australia to help keep you informed with the latest health updates as well as details for support services to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Date published:

We encourage you to check in with yourself and others and stay emotionally and socially connected, especially to those that are self-isolating.

4:24

0:00 so we are truly going through an

0:01 extraordinary time with this pandemic

0:04 it was really just a month or so ago

0:05 that we thought we were on our pathway

0:07 out

0:08 and here we are finding no it's come

0:11 back

0:11 in a way that has really taken many of

0:14 us by surprise

0:15 and we realise we're in this for the

0:17 long haul and our mental health and our

0:19 mental wellbeing

0:20 is being challenged we can't go through

0:22 this without it having an impact on us

0:25 all of us are feeling it a bit

0:26 differently at the moment as we live in

0:28 different parts of australia

0:30 and if we are somewhere where the

0:32 restrictions have been reimposed

0:34 we are particularly challenged for all

0:37 of us it is normal

0:38 to feel stressed it's normal to feel

0:40 worried it's normal to feel anxious

0:43 and what we call on us to do is to reach

0:46 out

0:47 and try and have a conversation try and

0:49 connect with somebody who can help

0:50 because by putting it into words

0:52 you can sometimes really find your own

0:54 way through so talk to a friend

0:56 talk to a family member or talk to one

0:58 of the helplines that's available

1:00 for you 24 7. the particular thing we

1:03 need to do at this time

1:04 is to remember that we need to look

1:06 after each other

1:08 perhaps stop and remember those acts of

1:11 kindness that you've experienced over

1:13 the last few months the acts of

1:14 generosity

1:15 the acts of love they give us hope they

1:17 help find the way through

1:19 let's in particular remember our

1:21 frontline workers our essential workers

1:24 our health workers those who are

1:26 volunteering for

1:27 charities and working for our ngos every

1:30 day

1:30 they are putting others before

1:32 themselves let's hold on to the hope

1:34 they represent

1:36 but let's also remember those who are

1:38 vulnerable at this time

1:40 domestic and family violence is never

1:43 okay everyone has the right to feel and

1:46 be

1:46 safe and if you feel that somebody you

1:49 know is in danger

1:50 reach in try and reach in to help and

1:53 support

1:54 them let's remember those who in

1:56 lockdown conditions

1:58 go through that very real challenge of

2:00 loneliness

2:02 living on your own being separated from

2:05 the social networks that form such a

2:07 critical part of your life

2:09 is so hard for so many people again

2:12 let's reach in to anyone who's living on

2:14 their own and let's let them know

2:16 they've got people who care and support

2:18 them

2:19 for those in a home environment

2:21 particularly if you're a parent or a

2:23 carer

2:23 and you're trying to juggle all of the

2:26 needs of so many people

2:27 along with working from home probably

2:29 schooling from home

2:31 remember that downtime me time is

2:34 actually an investment on a

2:36 way through to help care for others if

2:38 you take that time for yourself it's not

2:40 wasted time

2:41 it will actually enable you to be there

2:44 and helping others

2:45 in the way you truly want to do it for

2:47 our young people

2:49 we know how terribly devastating this is

2:52 particularly if you're going through the

2:53 last couple of years of school

2:55 or if you're perhaps transitioning into

2:56 uni or perhaps you've lost your first

2:59 job

2:59 and what does the future hold and it's

3:02 so different to what you expected

3:04 reach out to us we are there to help and

3:06 support you

3:07 and help give you that hope that it will

3:09 be okay for the future

3:12 if you are somebody who's going through

3:13 financial stress

3:15 we understand just how challenging that

3:18 is it underpins

3:19 everything in your life again there are

3:23 services there that can help you

3:24 you will be mentally affected by it but

3:28 we can help

3:29 and the services are there so reach out

3:31 for them

3:32 for each and every one of us remember

3:35 that our mental health

3:36 is as much a part of us as our physical

3:38 health

3:39 if we take care of our mental health if

3:42 we reach out

3:43 and ask for support when we need it when

3:45 we reach out to others and give them the

3:47 support they need

3:48 that's an investment in the way forward

3:51 the more we can

3:53 be mentally healthy and mentally well

3:56 the more easily we will find our way

3:58 through we need to support each other

4:02 we need to get through this and we need

4:04 to get through this together

4:06 and we can and we will it will end

4:09 so let's do it let's get through it

4:11 together and let's stay

4:12 safe

Health Information

COVID-19 has been the focus of conversations and media over the past few months. This can be overwhelming if you can’t switch off, and confusing if messages are conflicting. While information and restrictions will develop and change over time, we encourage you to refer to evidence-based and reputable sources, like those below that are updated regularly.

Mental Health Support

Accessing mental health and wellbeing support and staying connected is really important during this time. We encourage you to seek further support should you need it.

If you need emergency assistance, phone 000 for police, ambulance or fire services.

24/7 FREE National Support Phone Lines

The below support lines are available 24/7 if you need to talk.

Other Support Lines

These support lines provide free financial advice and counselling and are available Monday - Friday between 9:30am-4:30pm you may leave a message outside of these hours.

Online Support 

  • eheadspace provides free online support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends
  • ReachOut have online youth forums and online parents forums for COVID-19 offering peer support in safe and established online communities.  
  • SANE have an active online lived experience forum focused on unpacking fact from fiction about COVID-19 and providing self-care strategies.
  • eFriend is a free virtual peer support service where you can access 6 sessions with the same peer worker to support your mental health and wellbeing.  

You can also get help from:

  • A local GP or health professional. For information about accessing telehealth services speak to your local GP and support team. 

If you have been impacted by the Bushfires, you can access immediate free counselling and additional supports by contacting Services Australia 180 22 66.

Mental Health Information & Resources

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the ongoing media coverage may have you feeling concerned, anxious and uncertain. The following resources have been developed to support your mental health and wellbeing during this time.

  • #GettingThroughThisTogether and #InThisTogether have been developed by the Commission together with leading mental health organisations, experts and spokespeople to encourage a national online conversation sharing practical tips to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australians during COVID-19.
  • Head to Health have a dedicated landing page for mental health information to help you and your loved ones cope with feelings resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Life In Mind has developed a page consolidating resources available. This will be updated regularly.
  • WHO #HealthyAtHome advice for staying physically and mentally healthy at home.
  • Red Cross provides a range of practical advice to help look after your own and other's health and wellbeing during the COVID19 pandemic.
  • RUOK? have shared a message on the importance of staying connected and how to make it part of daily routine

Young People, Parents & Teachers

Expecting and New Parents

  • PANDA has information and support for expecting and new parents

Financial and Small Business

  • National Debt Helpline has free advice and guides on how to tackle most debts.
  • Ahead for Business provides information, programs and interventions that can help small business owners with planning, managing everyday business stressors and taking action for mental health challenges. 
  • My Business Health provide support to small businesses and family enterprises, giving you easy access to tools, templates and tips to manage stress and proactively engage with running your business.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

  • Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia provides advice and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on emotional wellbeing and staying healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

  • SBS has Coronavirus health and mental health information for those that speak a language other than English. 

Media

National Mental Health Commission media contact

Telephone:
Tags:
  • COVID-19
  • Support

Acknowledgement of Country

The Commission acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands throughout Australia.
We pay our respects to their clans, and to the elders, past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community.

Diversity

The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Lived Experience

We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.