Interactive Websites
MoodGYM is an innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent depression. It consists of five modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment. Using flashed diagrams and online exercises, MoodGYM teaches the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy – a proven treatment for depression. It also demonstrates the relationship between thoughts and emotions, and works through dealing with stress and relationship break-ups, as well as teaching relaxation and meditation techniques.
The Desk aims to support Australian tertiary students to achieve mental and physical health and wellbeing. Being a student can be a challenging time and many students do not access support services for a range of reasons including time pressures, not knowing where to go for help and feeling embarrassed. Providing resources online means that more people will be able to get help to improve their wellbeing and be able to study more effectively. The desk offers free access to online modules, tools, quizzes and advice.
E-couch is a self-help interactive program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety & worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss & grief. It provides evidence-based information and teaches strategies drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity.
Smiling Mind is modern meditation for young people. It is a unique web and App-based program, designed to help bring balance to young lives. It is a not-for-profit initiative based on a process that provides a sense of clarity, calm and contentment. Download from the website.
Tune in not out (TINO): 24 Hour TV for life’s challenges. Safe partying, managing relationships, communication eating disorders, self-esteem etc.
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)
If your parent experiences mental illness, it's normal for you to have all kinds of different feelings. It might be hard to know how to cope with your parent or understand why they act the way they do. This can leave you feeling angry, stressed and helpless...and a whole lot of other things! In this section of the COPMI website, you can find out about mental illness and how to get help if you need it. Sometimes it helps just to know that you’re not alone and there are others in similar situations.
ReachOut.com is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service. It’s the perfect place to start if you’re not sure where to look. Every year it helps hundreds of thousands of young Australians with information support and stories on everything from finding your motivation, through to getting through really tough times.
With a mobile-friendly site and forums, you can access help, info and support no matter where you are. Everything on ReachOut.com is created with experts and young people, so you can be sure to find stuff that’s not only evidence-based, but is also relevant to you. It’s got tools and tips to make everyday life just a little easier, and if you can’t get the help you need on ReachOut.com, we have links to a number of other great services that exist for young people in Australia.
MindMatters is a mental health initiative for secondary schools that aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Young people becoming independent
Young people becoming independent
We provide information, payments and services if you are between 15 and 24 years of age and becoming independent. Payments such as Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY support you while you study. We can also help you with career and financial advice for when it's time for you to make important decisions. Payments & services:
Legal Advice
Youth Legal Service provides free professional legal services to children and young people (under 25 years) residing in Western Australia.
Ph: 9202 1688 (Metro) / 1800 199 006 (Regional)
eSafety
Cyberbullying is never ok, and has a negative impact on the mental and emotional health of those that are targeted. eSafety is a safe platform for you to report cyberbullying and talk to someone about it. They also provide advice and strategies for dealing with these issues.
"The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner is Australia's leader in online safety. The Office is committed to helping young people have safe, positive experiences online and encouraging behavioural change, where a generation of Australian children act responsibly online—just as they would offline".
Students can use this link to report offensive or illegal content online.
iParent (contains eSafety information for parents)
iParent is "where parents can learn about the digital environment and keep updated on their children’s technology use".
YouTube clip:
What the Internet is doing to our brains
Recreational Outlets / Social Groups
Being a part of social groups or volunteer programs is proven to have a positive effect on mental health. It is a great opportunity to get out there, make friends and de-stress. Plus you'll end up doing all sorts of things you would never have done on your own! Here are a few places to get started if you want to try meeting new people and doing something different:
identify as LGBT? Check out Freedom Centre
Supporting Families of Children with Special Needs
Kalparrin is a non-for-profit organisation that helps families of children with disabilities and special needs to carry their load by providing practical information and support. They also assist in connecting families in similar situations together through Parent Link, and other respite activities.
Phone: (08) 9340 8094 / 1800 066 413
Helplines
Crisis Care Helpline (24hrs) - 9223 1111
Mental Health Emergency Response Line - 1300 555 788
Kids Help Line - 1800 551 800
Family Helpline - 9223 1100
Lifeline (24hr) - 131 114
The Line (24hr) - 1800 695 463
Youth Beyond blue - 1300 224 636
Q Life (3pm – midnight EST) - 1800 184 527
Family Drug Support (24hr) - 1300 368 186
The Samaritans Anonymous Crisis Support (24hr) - 135 247
Men’s Line Australia - 1300 789 978
Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline - (08) 9223 1199 / 1800 000 599
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline - (08) 9223 1188 / 1800 007 339
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service
1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Online Counselling and Support
Headspace - www.headspace.org.au
Youth Focus - www.youthfocus.com.au
Reach Out - http://au.reachout.com
Lifeline - http://www.lifelinewa.org.au/
Counselling Support
Headspace: A one-stop-shop providing mental and health wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12-25 yrs old and their families. Office locations: Albany, Armadale, Broome, Bunbury, Fremantle, Geraldton, Joondalup, Kalgoorlie, Midland, Osborne Park, Rockingham.
Ph: 9335 6333
Youth counsellors work exclusively with the young person or where appropriate in partnership with their family and a Youth Focus Family Counsellor. Youth Focus provides a friendly, confidential and professional service for young people who are in need of counselling and support.
Our Counsellors are trained professionals with the skills necessary to assist young people in identifying coping strategies to deal with issues associated with suicide, depression and self-harm. Youth counselling appointments are free of charge and available at our office. We offer our services from our offices located in Burswood, Joondalup, Rockingham, Bunbury and Albany as well as via our schools and outreach programs.
Centrecare is one of Western Australia's most well established, professional and innovative providers of specialist social services. Centrecare offers extensive outreach and specialised counselling services both in the metropolitan and regional areas of Western Australia and currently provides approximately 90 services delivered from 11 locations. With a not-for-profit status, Centrecare provides quality professional family and relationship counselling, individual counselling, specialised men and women counselling, children counselling, family dispute resolution and training services.
Ph: 9325 6644
Systemic Consultation Centre - Counselling
Counselling for families, couples and individuals using a systemic approach - is this for me? Low fee counselling services for families, couples and individuals…
T.S. Eliot in “ The Cocktail Hour” (1940). His definition! - “Before I treat a patient like yourself I need to know a great deal more about him than the patient can always tell me. Indeed, it is often the case that my patients are only pieces of a total situation, which I have to explore. The single patient who is ill by himself, is rather the exception.”
HelpingMinds provides a range of free, professional and confidential counselling and support programs to individuals who have a friend or family member that is affected by mental illness or are at risk of developing a mental illness themselves. They offer a range of services catered towards children and youth aged 0-18, adults, and families.
Phone: (08) 9427 7100 (Metro) / 1800 811 747 (Regional)
Health
Online site that provides youth with a list of doctors who work well with youth in WA. Also has links to alcohol and drug information, sexual health and other general enquiry questions.
Sexual health clinic and counselling services. Provides information, education and training for teachers and other educators in Western Australia.
SHQ offers free, confidential counselling for young people under 25.
Ph: (08) 9227 6177
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
24hr emergency line for recent sexual assault
Ph: (08) 6458 1828 / 1800 199 888
Emergency telephone counselling between 8.30am and 11.00pm
Ph: (08) 6458 1828
13yrs and over, provides medical care, a forensic examination and counselling support to people who have been sexually assaulted within the previous 14 days, has various counselling services across Perth metro, Aboriginal Liaison Officer available.
Tips for Maintaining Positive Mental Health
If you're not feeling so positive, there are things you can do to make it easier to smile. Here are some quick tips that have been proven to help reduce depression and build a better outlook:
