REFERRALS FOR BROS
MENTAL HEALTH, CRISIS SUPPORT, AND SUBSTANCE USE
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Male-specific mental health services available.*
AUSTRALIA
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MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
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EMERGENCY
Tel: 000 (24 hours 7 days a week)
In an emergency (suicide threat, ambulance, police support) call 000 or visit your local emergency department.
Lifeline
Tel: 13 11 14 (24 hours 7 days a week)
Online chat: 7pm-4am, daily
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. We're committed to empowering Australians to be suicide-safe through connection, compassion and hope. If you are experiencing a personal crisis, our dedicated crisis support volunteers are here for you 24/7.
Suicide Call Back Service
Tel: 1300 659 467 (24 hours 7 days a week)
Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service for people who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, people bereaved by suicide, or health professionals supporting people affected by suicide. This service provides immediate telephone counselling and support in crises. They can provide up to 6 further telephone counselling sessions with the same counsellor scheduled at times best suited to your needs.
1300 789 978 (24 hours 7 days a week)
With MensLine Australia’s online counselling, you can access free professional support, no matter where you are in Australia. Their qualified counsellors specialise in men dealing with family and relationship issues, including relationship breakdown, separation and divorce, parenting, family violence, suicide prevention and emotional well-being.
Tel: 1300 224 636 (24 hours 7 days a week)
Beyondblue is a 24/7 telephone support helpline to listen, provide information and advice, and point you in the right direction so you can seek further support for the cost of a local call (could be more from mobiles). All calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential. Although we may ask for your first name and some general details, you can let us know if you’d like to remain anonymous.
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13 92 76 (24 hours 7 days a week)
13YARN [Thirteen YARN] is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.
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To access a list of GPs in Australia, visit: www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services
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GP2U is a virtual practice that allows you to access a doctor from anywhere in Australia. To make an appointment either book online or on the app, however Medicare does not currently provide rebates for these services so it will cost you between $70 and $90 for an appointment. You can pick up any prescriptions from your chosen pharmacy and you also ask for the results to be sent to your regular doctor.
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To access a list of psychologists, visit the Australian Psychological Society: www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist
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PSYCH2U is a virtual practice that allows you to access a psychologist or psychiatrist from anywhere in Australia. Those in rural locations will be bulk billed, however there are some criteria depending on your location. For psychologists you are only eligible to be bulk billed if you are in a remote area but for psychiatrists you are eligible to be bulked billed in all rural and remote areas. To make an appointment, you will need a GP referral.
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To access a list of psychiatrists, visit the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists: www.yourhealthinmind.org/find-a-psychiatrist
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Call to Mind is a virtual practice that allows you to access a psychiatrist from anywhere in Australia. The team comprises many different psychiatrists, including an Aboriginal man, and is suitable for those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. Those in rural and remote areas will be bulk billed. To make an appointment, you will need a referral from a GP.
Tel: 1800 022 222
HealthDirect is a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice (general health information and advice.
Tel: 1300 111 400 (Monday - Friday 9am to 9pm AEST)
Wellways offers a wide range of individually tailored services designed to support people affected by mental health issues or disability, as well as their families, friends and carers. Our experienced, local staff will help you take charge of your wellbeing, connect with others and participate in your community.
Tel: 1800 187 263
SANE Australia is a national mental health charity working to support four million Australians affected by complex mental illness including schizophrenia, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, OCD, PTSD and severe depression and anxiety. SANE’s work includes mental health awareness, online peer support and information, stigma reduction, specialist helpline support, research and advocacy.
Dads In Distress (Parents Beyond Breakup)*
Tel: (02) 6652 8113 or 1300 853 437
Available 24/7 (Sometimes subject to volunteer availability)
Remote support Available during office hours (09:00-17:00, Mon-Sat AEST)
In 2019, Dads In Distress Support groups will be celebrating their 20th year, with 16 weekly groups meeting all over the country, run by trained volunteers and supported by a national telephone helpline and online support. Our peer support groups give separated dads social connection, emotional support and practical guidance to help navigate the distressing world of family breakdown. We cannot fix the issues that separated fathers experience, but we can and do build their personal resilience and empower them to find optimal ways to deal with their challenging circumstances.
Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN)*
Tel: Helpline 1800 472 676 Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (AEST)
Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) is a not-for-profit organisation working to increase public awareness of the effects that childhood sexual abuse can have on men in their adult lives. SAMSN employs psychologists and social workers who have experience working with male survivors to facilitate support groups for men and their families and supporters. Any man who has suffered from the effects of child sexual assault should know it was not his fault and that healing and recovery is possible. Regardless of his ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or religion any man can contact SAMSN for support.
Tel: 1800 184 527 (3pm to 12am)
If you identify as gay, bisexual or transgender, QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Tel: 1800 650 890 (seven days a week from 9am to 1am AEST)
headspace Centres act as a one-stop-shop for young people who are 12-25 years old who need help with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs or work and study support. You can find a centre near you across Australia.
Tel: 1300 224 636 (12-25 year olds)
This website has been established to provide information about anxiety, depression and suicide to young people in Australia aged 12–25. The website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should seek the advice of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional (preferably along with your parent or guardian if you are under 16 years of age) before making decisions about your own circumstances.
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Open Arms (formerly Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service)
Tel: 1800 011 046
Open Arms provides counselling and group programs to Australian veterans and peacekeepers and their families and is run by qualified psychologists or social workers. Visit the website for more information about mental health and online resources.
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General enquiries please call: 1300 620 380
Soldier On’s mission is to work side by side with those who serve and protect Australia, and their families, helpinging them to secure their future. Their services aim to HELP individuals build resilience and create, and expand meaningful connections with family, community and employers through our Health and Wellbeing services, Employment programs, Learning opportunities, and Participation activities. In order to achieve this mission, Soldier On has a team of amazing staff who dedicate their time to delivering services directly to serving those who have served, and their families. They have centres in the ACT, Concord NSW, Parkville VIC and offices in Perth WA, Adelaide SA, Brisbane QLD, Newcastle NSW, and Albury NSW. Their volunteer network and the generosity of the community allows for activities and events to be held across the nation and support many Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and families outside of city areas.
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myCompass is a free online self-help program for people with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and stress. It’s also appropriate for people who simply want to build good mental health. Its core features include fourteen different interactive learning activities and a lifestyle tracking feature to help users better understand themselves and learn strategies to improve their mental health. The myCompass lifestyle tracking feature allows users to track their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and provides graphical feedback to help them recognise unhelpful patterns and possible triggers. The learning activities deliver proven psychological techniques used by doctors and psychologists such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). myCompass is developed by The Black Dog Institute.
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HeadGear is an app designed by mental health experts to help men connect with their values and cope better with stress. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among Australians is high and often goes unrecognised, in particular, among men, in male dominated industries.The HeadGear smartphone application provides workers with a simple, engaging and anonymous way to assess and monitor their mental health. The app assesses individuals’ risk for future mental health issues and guide users through a tailored 30-day mental health challenge that aims to increase wellbeing and reduce their risk of future mental health problems.
Victoria (Melbourne and Regional/Rural)
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MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
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This website provides an extensive list of all adult specialist mental health services across metropolitan and rural Victoria, These services are aimed primarily at people who require mental health support, diagnosis and treatment.
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Counselling and Mental Health Services for Men
Tel: 1300 967 734
Counselling in Melbourne (private practice) men’s counsellors have worked extensively with men and understand the complexities of how difficult it can be to even walk through a counsellor’s door. It is imperative to set the framework for a trusting, beneficial, therapeutic relationship. This is our top priority in counselling. Working with our registered men’s counsellors means you can safely explore any struggles you are experiencing, or have experienced, in a non-judgemental, warm setting, based in deep rapport, respect, and trust, to help you get on the path to living your best life.
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Monash FEAR Clinic
Tel: (03) 9902 4480
​The Monash FEAR Clinic is a specialty treatment and research clinic housed within the Monash Psychology Centre. The FEAR Clinic undertakes research and training, and provides treatment options for people suffering from panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, excessive or uncontrollable worry, obsessive-compulsive problems, post-traumatic stress and depression.
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Federation University Psychology Clinic
Tel: (03) 5327 8483
​Federation University Australia's Psychology Clinic provides psychological services to members of community within Ballarat and surrounding districts. In most instances psychological services will be provided by provisionally registered psychologists, who are currently undertaking advanced training in the Master of Psychology (Clinical) program. All services provided are closely supervised by a team of highly experienced registered psychologists, all of whom hold both endorsement in clinical psychology and registration as clinical supervisors with the Psychology Board of Australia in APHRA.
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LaTrobe University Psychology Clinic
Tel: (03) 9479 2150
​The Psychology Clinic operates as part of the advanced professional training program for Masters and Doctoral students in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology. Therapy is carried out by Master of Psychology and Doctoral provisional psychologists who are supervised by experienced registered psychologists.
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RMIT Psychology Clinic
Tel: (03) 9925 7666
​The RMIT University Psychology Clinic provides psychological services to the general public. Most of the clinical sessions are conducted by postgraduate clinical psychology students, under careful supervision of psychologists who are staff members in Psychology. Decisions about interventions are based on current research evidence and on clinical judgment about the most effective procedures.
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GROW
Tel: (03) 9528 2977 | Free call: 1800 558 268
​A self help organisation for people who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses. GROW is based on a 12 step self-help program. Members meet weekly.
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SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT
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National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline
Tel: 1800 250 015
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline. It will automatically direct you to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in your state or territory. These local alcohol and other drug telephone services offer support, information, counselling and referral to services.
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DirectLine
Tel: 1800 888 236
DirectLine is a Victoria statewide telephone and online service which supports people seeking alcohol and other drugs information, advice or referral. DirectLine offers information, advice and brief interventions before, during and after treatment and operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week. It is staffed by professional counsellors at Turning Point, a centre of excellence for alcohol and other drug treatment, research and education, a part of Eastern Health.
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Opioid Treatment Line
Tel: 1800 642 428
This telephone helpline provides opiate pharmacotherapy information (including methadone and buprenorphine), referrals, advice and a forum for pharmacotherapy concerns. Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm.
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Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
Tel: 1300 222 222
​A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
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Counselling Online
Tel: 1800 888 236 (DirectLine)
Operated by Turning Point in Victoria and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Counselling Online provides assistance to Australian residents concerned about alcohol & other drugs. Our primary service is online text-based counselling for people concerned about their own drinking or drug use. The service is equally available to people concerned about a family member, relative or friend. Our service also provides:
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tools such as self-assessments and self-help modules
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an SMS service to keep you focused and on track
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an online community forum to connect you with peers for support.
Counselling Online services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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CRISIS CARE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT
Tel: 1300 766 491 (24 hours – NSW & Tas / 8am-9pm weekdays & 9am-6pm weekends – all other states)
Live web chat - 8am-9pm weekdays
No to Violence (NTV) provides the Men's Referral Service: an anonymous and confidential telephone service for men. It provides a central point of contact for men who are wanting to stop their violent or abusive behaviour towards their family members, but are not sure how or where to go for advice.
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1800RESPECT
Tel: 1800 737 732
At 1800RESPECT, we understand that everyone's experience of sexual, domestic or family violence is different. So too is the kind of help and support each person needs. No one knows your situation better than you and the information on these pages aims to support you, wherever you are at. Whether it's taking a step in a new direction, making a call, or learning about ways to make yourself safer, the choice is always yours.
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Relationships Australia VIC (RAVIC) provides relationship support services for individuals, couples, families and communities. RANSW provides counselling, support and courses to reduce violence and increase safety in families. Their support is available to men, women and children who have experienced violence in their families.
Tel: 1300 VINNIES or 13 18 12 and we will direct your call.
The St Vincent de Paul Society provides a helping hand to many West Australians through food assistance, material aid, budget advice, shelter, advocacy, friendship and support.
OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES (Including men's health)
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Australian Men's Health Forum*
Tel: 0419 319140
The Australian Men’s Health Forum is the peak body for men’s health in Australia. They are an alliance of organisations, service providers, plus individual men and women, actively engaged and interested in addressing the physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual, educational, social, spiritual, sexual and relationship needs of men and boys in Australia
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Tel: 1300 550 009
The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is the peak body supporting almost 1000 Men’s Sheds and is recognised as one of Australia’s largest male based community development organisations. It prioritizes the well being of all men valuing the role that Men’s Sheds play in the prevention of social isolation by providing a safe, friendly and welcoming place for men to work on meaningful projects and to contribute to the wider community.
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Healthy Male (formerly Andrology Australia)*
General enquiries: 1300 303 878
Healthy Male (previously known as Andrology Australia) is a national organisation that provides easy access to the latest scientific and medical research on male reproductive and sexual health. Our aim is to make this information available to everybody, regardless of gender, age, education, religion or ethnicity. To do this, we collaborate with Australia’s leading researchers, specialists, clinicians and educators to develop information that fills the gaps in men’s health.
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Male Health (Spanner In The Works)*
“Spanner in the Works?” provides you with a maintenance schedule for your body, and some key health messages in a way that’s understandable and achievable. It’s not about telling you what to do but sets out some things that you can do (or not do) to improve your health and your chances of a longer, and happier life. Often, minor adjustments can have a major impact on your health, your relationships with loved ones, your friends and your work. Most importantly, we want you to put yourself over the pits each year by getting a full health check through your GP. (Website: https://malehealth.org.au)
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Men’s Health Australia*
Australia’s primary source of information about the social and psychological wellbeing of men and boys. We provide news, commentary, articles, links and information about events, services, resources and newsletters covering a wide range of topics and issues of relevance to men and boys from newspapers, magazines, websites, books, journals, practitioners and institutions. Our mythbusters section critiques inaccurate, biased and stereotypical reports about men, boys and gender issues, and encourages factual reporting in stories concerning males. (Website: http://www.menshealthaustralia.net)
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Movember Australia*
Started in Australia in 2003, the Movember foundation has grown to fund more than 1,200 men’s health initiatives across 21 countries. We’re the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We’re addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. Visit their site and check some of the health promotion information available. (Website: https://au.movember.com)
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Foundation 49: Men’s Health is a not-for-profit Men’s Health Promotion initiative of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and promotes good health and wellbeing with a primary focus on prevention and early detection and by encouraging regular health checks. Its goal is to help Australian men to live longer and healthier lives through public awareness raising and the provision of information and resources furthering their health knowledge, and encouraging them to have a regular health check. Click on the link: http://www.49.com.au and check them out.
Significant health problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, colon cancer and depression, could be detected and treated more effectively if men’s awareness of these problems was greater. By taking control of your own health, you can catch small issues before they become big problems. Click on the link https://www.mantest.com.au
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SMS4Dads
SMS4dads program is a free SMS support service and we’re aiming to involve up to 300 expectant dads. If your partner is between 20 weeks and 36 weeks pregnant and you are interested in being part of the project – ENROL NOW. To participate in the program, you will need to be over18 years old and have a mobile phone capable of receiving and sending text messages.
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HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies)*
HALT was founded by Jeremy Forbes and Catherine Pilgrim. It aims to remind tradies they are valued by their community, and direct them to support services, both local and national, should they need them. HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) works in conjunction with communities to host ‘SAVE YOUR BACON’ brekkies. The ‘SAVE YOUR BACON’ brekkies have travelled across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. At last count, HALT had held over 200 ‘Save your Bacon’ events in hardware stores, TAFEs, sporting clubs, secondary colleges, Men’s Sheds, the farming and mining communities, corporations and private businesses. Click on the link to visit the site: http://thehaltbrekky.com
Tomorrow Man*
Tomorrow Man, created by Tom Harkin, facilitate workshops for boys and parents in schools, and, men in sporting clubs, workplaces and communities. We explore how we can look after ourselves, our mates and families better while carving out our own version of the Aussie man. It’s time we got in a room to have a no holds barred conversation about the state of man; face the stats and create room to break the stereotype. Click on the link to visit the site: https://www.tomorrowman.com.au
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
Tel: 131 450
If English is not your first language, you can get free translation support through Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).
National Relay Services: Speech or hearing difficulties.
If you have speech or hearing difficulties you can contact us by phone through the National Relay Service.
Workplace Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Australian work, health and safety legislation requires employers to ensure workplaces are safe and healthy for all workers. Employers also have an ethical responsibility to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of their employees. EAPs assist organisations and managers to meet their obligations under the Work Health & Safety Act 2011, particularly:
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protecting workers against harm to health (including mental health), safety and welfare through the elimination or minimisation of risks arising from work
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providing fair and effective workplace representation, consultation, cooperation and issue resolution in relation to work health and safety
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taking a constructive role in promoting improvements in work health and safety practices and achieving a healthier and safer working environment
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promoting the provision of advice, information, education and training in relation to work health and safety
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providing a framework for continuous improvement and progressively higher standards of work health and safety.
Check with your employer if the organization offers EAP, so you can access support and counselling for free, in accordance to its package.