Support Lines and Resources
Mental Health
PANDA (Post and Ante Natal Depression Association) offers support and resources to anyone affected by post- and antenatal depression or anxiety, including women, men and their families. Their website is rich with practical information and fact sheets about a range of perinatal issues including adjusting to parenthood, ante- and postnatal depression, having another baby after depression, and strategies for feeling better.
LifeLine:
13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Lifeline is a general counselling line that anyone can contact for any issue or concern that they are struggling with, or if they are wanting to discuss how to support someone they are concerned about.
Suicide Line Victoria:
1300 651 251 www.suicideline.org.au
SuicideLine Victoria is a free 24/7 telephone, video, and online counselling service offering professional support to people at risk of suicide, people concerned about someone else’s risk of suicide, people bereaved by suicide, and anyone experiencing mental health issues.
Beyond Blue:
www.beyondblue.org.au
Beyond Blue provides information about depression, anxiety and other mood disorders for men, women and their families, as well as health professionals.
CYMHS Alfred:
(03) 8552 0555 (business hours) / 1300 363 746 (after hours) www.alfredhealth.org.au/services/child-youth-mental-health-service
The Alfred Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) offers a coordinated mental health service for young people and their families. For families and young people living in the municipalities of Port Phillip, Stonnington, and Glen Eira, services are available for people aged 0-25. For families and young people living in the municipalities of Bayside and Kingston, services are available for people aged 0-18.
CASA House and Sexual Assault Crisis Line:
1800 806 292 www.casa.org.au
The Victorian CASA Forum is the peak body of the 15 Centres Against Sexual Assault, and the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line (after hours). Together we work to ensure that women, children and men who are victim/survivors of sexual assault have access to comprehensive and timely support and intervention to address their needs.
Mensline Australia:
1300 78 99 78 www.mensline.org.au
MensLine Australia is a national telephone and online support, information, and referral services for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors experienced in men’s issues.
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
Kids Helpline is specifically focused on providing general support to kids who feel like they need to talk with someone. They will also talk with parents, relatives and friends concerned about a child.
Eating Disorders Victoria: 1300 550 236 www.eatingdisorders.org.au
Eating Disorders Victoria connects those in Victoria who are affected by eating disorders with the services, people, and hope they need for recovery.
The Orange Door:
1800 319 353 www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children, and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children. You should contact The Orange Door if someone close to you is hurting you, controlling you, or making you feel afraid – such as your partner, family member, carer, or parent(s), you are a child or young person who doesn’t have what you need to be okay, you are worried about the safety of a friend or family member, or you need to change your behaviour and stop using violence in your relationships.
General Health
Better Health Channel:
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
The Better Health Channel provides extensive information about a range of medical conditions and treatments relating to the health of women, men and children. The “A-Z of Conditions” is a particularly useful resource that lists fact sheets alphabetically on a range of medical conditions. Additional information about healthy living, relationships and family also features, as well as a guide on how to access medical services and support.
The Women’s:
www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/fact-sheets
The Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne is Australia’s largest specialist hospital dedicated to improving the health of women of all ages and newborn babies. The “A to Z Fact Sheets” on their website provide information about a range of medical conditions and treatments relating to the health of women and infants. The Women’s also produces a range of print publications, brochures and booklets for women that are available in a number of different languages.
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne: www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/About_Kids_Health_Information/
Kids Health Information is a suite of resources created by The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and is dedicated to providing quality, up-to-date health information.
Information can be found in the form of fact sheets, videos and podcast episodes.
Parenting and Relationships
Raising Children Network:
www.raisingchildren.net.au
The Raising Children Network is an Australian parenting website that provides comprehensive, practical and expert child health and parenting information relating to children aged 0-15 years.
Better Health Channel:
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
The Better Health Channel provides extensive information about a range of medical conditions and treatments relating to the health of women, men and children. Additional information about healthy living, relationships and family also features, as well as a guide on how to access parenting and relationship services and support.
Masada Early Parenting Centre:
www.masadaprivate.com.au/Early-Parenting-Centre/Introduction
The Masada Early Parenting Centre, previously named the Mother Baby Unit, is a long-standing centre of excellence which offers a state of the art service designed to help parents overcome the physical, emotional and social challenges that a new baby can bring. The Early Parenting Centre is designed to give families more opportunities to address the immense physical, emotional and social transitions associated with having a baby and bring about positive changes.
Australian Breastfeeding Association:
www.breastfeeding.asn.au
The Australian Breastfeeding Association provides women with support, advocacy and information related to breastfeeding.
Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Helpline:
www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
Pregnancy, birth and baby helpline is focused on providing support to parents concerned about anything to do with their pregnancy, birth or new baby.
Relationships Australia:
www.relationships.org.au
Relationships Australia is a community based organisation that provides relationship support and education for individuals, families and communities. Information about a range of relationship topics and useful links can be found on their website.