Mental health services and support

Overview

Council has a role in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of its residents. If you, or someone you know, needs mental health support, there is help available.

If you are in crisis or feeling unsafe, there is crisis support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Crisis support

Organisation	Service	Contact
Lifeline	Crisis support and suicide prevention services for all Australians experiencing a personal crisis.	13 11 14
Bendigo Health Mental Health Regional Triage Service	Assessment and support service for mental health including access to the Enhanced Crisis Assessment Team located at Bendigo Hospital.	1300 363 788
Suicide Helpline	Free counselling and support for people at risk of suicide and anyone experiencing mental health issues.	1300 651 251
13Yarn	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line, 24 hours, 7 days a week.	13 92 76
Sexual Assault Crisis Line	State-wide, after hours, confidential telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.	1800 806 292 5pm to 9am weekdays and throughout weekends and public holidays.

Mental health services

Organisation	Service	Contact
Head to Health	Free tools and services to connect you to mental health support.	1800 595 212
Beyond Blue	Connect with a mental health professional, mental health information, supports and resources.	1300 224 636
MensLine	A telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).	1300 789 978
QLife	Anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral service.	1800 184 527

Youth mental health services

Organisation	Service	Contact
Kids Helpline	Free and confidential 24/74 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.	1800 55 1800
Headspace	Headspace is a confidential and FREE service where young people aged 12-25 can access a range of services. Online, phone and in person services are available.	1800 650 890
ReachOut	A safe place to chat anonymously online, get support, and feel better.	www.au.reachout.com
Mount Alexander Youth Services	Find support and resources for young people on Council's Youth website.	www.mountalexandershireyouth.com.au

Local mental health services and support

Organisation	Service	Contact
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)	24 hours 7 days a week for emergency and new referrals.	1300 363 788
Dhelkaya Health	Local mental health and alcohol and other drug support and counselling, based at Castlemaine Hospital.	03 5479 1000
Headspace Bendigo	Headspace is a confidential and FREE service where young people aged 12-25 can access a range of services. Online, phone and in person services available.	03 5406 1400 Email: headspace@bchs.com.au
HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies)	Mental health advice for tradies.	0409 756 274 Email: jeremy@halt.org.au
E.L.M. (Every Life Matters)	Suicide prevention and awareness in Mount Alexander.	Email: theelmnetwork@gmail.com
Castlemaine Safe Space	Drop in safe space run by lived experience trained volunteers to support people who may be in emotional distress or experiencing suicidal thoughts. community led, non-clinical, inclusive and comfortable space.	Email: castlemainesafespace@gmail.com
GP Clinics	Recognise symptoms of a mental illness and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan.	If you don't already have a local GP, you can find the details of local GP's at www.healthdirect.gov.au
Psychologists	Support to find a psychologist offering talk therapy and counselling (telehealth and face to face).	Find a psychologist: www.psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist or www.aapi.org.au/FindaPsychologist Telehealth: www.ruralhealthconnect.com.au or www.mymirror.com.au
Mount Alexander Shire: Keeping Mentally Well	Wallet card with advice on staying mentally well, how to seek help and support services including local supports.	Download the wallet card - Keeping Mentally Well(PDF, 143KB)
Help at Hand	Local services and support for people looking for additional assistance or living rough.	Download Help at Hand brochure
Catholic Care	General counselling offered fortnightly at Castlemaine Community House.	www.cch.org.au/counselling/

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