News
New Mental Health Line launched
The Mental Health Advice Line is a statewide Victorian phone service that provides immediate, expert mental health advice from a registered mental health professional, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By calling one statewide number – 1300 280 737 – Victorians of all ages and backgrounds will now have speedy access to clear expert advice, referral and information about the full spectrum of mental health issues. Calls from anywhere in Victoria are charged at the cost of a local call (mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate).
The Mental Health Advice Line is one of the initiatives under the Because Mental Health Matters: Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy 2009-2010. It was established in response to the low level of knowledge about mental health problems in the community – people do not always know who to turn to for help. This new service is designed to complement the existing service system and will be delivered by the same organisation that delivers the NURSE-ON-CALL service. For more information see the MHAL website www.health.vic.gov.au/mhal
Brand new carer service in the North: “Caring Together”
Caring Together, carers assisting other carers with peer support, is a new carer driven service being sponsored by the Northern Mental Health Alliance. It provides additional support to carers and families across the Northern region of Melbourne (Darebin and Whittlesea).
This exciting new program offers carers the opportunity to talk to another carer about the many worries that may present when a family member or friend becomes unwell with mental illness. Through working in partnership with clinical and community services in the Northern region, our Caring Together project offers the opportunity to seek more information about all the mental health and carers services available.
The Peer Support workers are someone you can go to for support, information and referrals. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone in person, who can listen and be there for you, as well as explore different pathways to recovery. This service is particularly helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves over the phone and prefer to talk face to face with someone about what is going on. The Caring Together workers have experience as carers of people with a mental illness and provide valuable and compassionate support to assist families who are supporting someone with mental illness.
The program offers access to carers from non-english speaking backgrounds. For further information, or to make an appointment, please contact the ARAFEMI Northern Office by calling direct on 9457 5308.
This is a free and confidential service.
