COVID-19 resources – mental health
Looking after our mental health is an important part of keeping healthy, especially when times are tough. If you, or someone you know, are in danger now please call 000 immediately. Otherwise, you can contact us on 13 78 24 if you would like to access our services.
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General information about Coronavirus
- Australian Government – Download the official Coronavirus Australia app free from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Or try the new WhatsApp feature.
- Australian Department of Health – COVID-19 fact sheets in multiple languages.
- WA Government – Coronavirus restrictions in WA – what you can and can’t do.
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Need someone to talk to?
- 13 11 14 – Lifeline Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention
- 1800 55 1800 – Kids Helpline
- 1300 78 99 76 – Mensline – emotional health and relationship support for men affected by or considering using violence. Advice about dealing with the stress and anxiety of Covid-19.
- 1300 659 467 – Suicide Call Back Service
- 1300 22 4636 – Beyond Blue
- 1800 011 046 – Open Arms – Mental health and wellbeing support for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their families
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Caring for your mental health
- Australian Government, Mental Health Commission – We are #InThisTogether – a national conversation sharing practical tips online to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australians during #COVID19
- Head to Health – The Government’s new mental health portal offers information about maintaining good mental health and supporting children and loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic and in self-isolation.
- WA Department of Communities Women’s Information Service – confidential free information about health, finances, legal matters, counselling or domestic violence. Search the Women’s Services Directory or freecall 9am to 4pm weekdays 1800 199 174 or email [email protected]
- Relationships Australia (WA) – Free programs with a wide range of programs and services to assist with a variety of issues including mental health and relationships
- Gayaa Dhuwi – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention national leadership body gives advice on Staying healthy and strong during the coronavirus outbreak
- The World Health Organisation – resources to help adults and children cope with stress during the outbreak.
- Queensland Health – Looking after yourself while you’re self-quarantining
- Australian Psychological Society – Tips for coping with coronavirus anxiety
- Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
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Advice for friends, relatives and neighbours
- Lifeline – Download their self-help toolkit for carers of people with mental illness
- Australian Red Cross – Ways to help families stay happy and hopeful during self-isolation
- Australian Red Cross – Defuse family tension and conflict
- Sane Australia – online resources that explain the impacts of mental illness on families, how to support someone with mental illness and how to look after yourself
- Helping Minds – Caring for a loved one with mental-ill health during COVID-19 – top tips to keep yourself and the person you care for stay calm and safe
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Caring for children
- Eheadspace – provides free online support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends
- Kids Helpline – offer online resources and support to help children and teenagers look after themselves
- Reachout – Online mental health support for young people and their parents. Lots of articles, tips and advice including including how to spot signs of an abusive relationship.
- Emerging Minds – resources from the Australian National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health.
- Help children cope with the outbreak using this brief, created by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Suitable for various ages, including pre-school, 6-12 years, and 13-18 years.
- Big Life Journal – Download the Stay-At-Home-Care pack with ideas to get your children moving and learning while staying indoors
- ABC – Keeping children educated and entertained – a list of resources from the ABC
- ABC – Five things you need to know about homeschooling
- NorthShoreMums – 113 Fun things to do at home with kids while self-isolating
- Save the Children – Surviving and enjoying isolation with kids
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Working from home and keeping mentally healthy
- Lifeline – Download the toolkit – Working from home – how to maintain our mental health wellbeing
- Roses in the Ocean – Mental health tips for working from home
- Talkspace (US) – 7 Tips to Manage Working from Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak
- The Conversation – 5 expert tips for working from home in a crowded house during the coronavirus pandemic
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Stay fit and entertained at home
- The Conversation – Great ideas to stay fit and active at home during self-isolation
- Australian Psychology Society – Maintaining your mental health during social isolation
- Whimn – We need to talk about the mental load of self-isolation
- Tech Radar – Free self-isolation education and entertainment resources
- Australian actor Chris Hemsworth has his own exercise app. The first six weeks are free.
- If you like Yoga, Down Dog is offering online yoga at home – from beginners to advanced – free until 1 May.
- Udemy – low cost education, professional and personal development courses online – from photography and cooking to IT and spreadsheets
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More stories to inspire you
- Lifeline stories from people who have experienced mental health issues.
- Collection of personal stories from Beyond Blue.
- Sane Forums – a space to share and read stories from people experiencing mental health issues and their carers.
