During this time, there are support services available to help. A range of services are available, from financial and legal support to personal and wellbeing support services. Here is a list of access points:
St Vincent De Paul
Currently St Vincent De Paul can be accessed for Victorian covid-19 support.
Contact details
For emergency assistance for materials phone: 13 18 12
For welfare assistance call 10am – 3pm (Monday – Friday) 1800 305 330
For further support visit https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/News/VIC_News/COVID-19_-_Vinnies_Victoria/
Victorian Child Care Cooperative Ltd
Victorian Child Care Cooperative assists Aboriginal and or/ Torres Strait Islander families through Food vouchers, material aid & bill support.
Contact details: 9287 8800 from 9am – 5pm (Monday – Friday)
Big Group Hug
Big Group Hug support families and children aged 0-12 years through material aid such as clothing and furniture. To access goods, contact Whittlesea Community Connections, local council family services and Maternal Child Health Services.
For more information about Big Hug Group visit https://biggrouphug.org/
Salvation Army - Plenty Valley Family Support Services
If you need help with a personal or practical issue, The Salvation Army may be able to assist you. The Salvation Army offers a wide range of humanitarian programs and services without discrimination. Phone 9436 9200
For more information about the Salvation Army visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/
Safe Steps
Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre. If you are experiencing abuse and need help or support, contact Safe Steps any time of the day or night. Contact 1800 015 188
Beyond Blue
Reach out to Beyond Blue's free Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.
Speak to a trained mental health professional and there are translation/ Interpreting services and resources available for people with English as a second language.
Contact 1800 512 348 or visit https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Lifeline
Every 30 seconds, a person in Australia reaches out to Lifeline for help. Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Contact 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Kids Helpline
Anytime, any reason, Kids helpline can offer support to kids experiencing emotional distress.
Contact 1800 55 1800 or visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/
The Orange Door
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.
Contact 1800 319 355 or visit https://orangedoor.vic.gov.au/
1800 Respect
1800 Respect is the national sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service. They offer services that range from dealing with technology facilitated abuse to financial, physical and spiritual abuse. Their services are confidential.
Contact 1800 737 732 or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/
MensLine Australia
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.
Contact 1300 78 99 78 or visit https://mensline.org.au/
WithRespect
WithRespect provides resources, tips and advice for LGBTIQ+ people on having and maintaining healthy relationships. They also provide support for LGBTIQ+ people of all ages and their families experiencing difficulty in their relationships, including family violence.
Contact 1800 542 847 or visit https://www.withrespect.org.au/
headspace
headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health) alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. There are support centres located across Melbourne including South Morang and Greensborough.
Visit https://headspace.org.au/
THIS WAY UP
THIS WAY UP is an online platform run by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, researchers, and web technicians based at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) – a joint facility of St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of New South Wales.
Visit https://thiswayup.org.au/
Your local GP service
Your local GP doctor can help with supporting your health and wellbeing. Please contact your local doctor to discuss what services are available.