Seeking Support

It shows inner strength and courage to ask for help.

Stress and Me is just the beginning of your mental health journey.

If you’d like to get some help, this list of organisations and services is a great place to start.

Some tips for using mental health services

  1. Do some research so you can choose the service that suits you best. Check what they specialise in and whether this matches what you need right now.
  2. Think about what will give you the most benefit. Is it a phone call, email support, SMS, chat or a talk face-to-face?
  3. When you contact the service, you only have to share what you feel comfortable sharing. You can write it down if that makes it easier.
  4. You might be disappointed if the psychologist or counsellor you choose to see isn’t a good match. Just because they’re a professional, doesn’t mean they are the right person to support you. Maybe you don’t get along or you feel that they don’t relate well to you as an individual. It’s okay to look for another option.
  5. You may also find that your favourite support person for most things doesn’t have the experience or knowledge with mental health to be able to give you the right advice. Try to be open to new possibilities and new support relationships.
  6. Remember that finding the right person can sometimes take a while. This can be frustrating. But when you find a good match for you, it can make a really big difference. Don’t give up.

Am I the only one who finds it hard to talk about how I feel?

It’s normal to feel afraid about sharing how you feel with someone else. It’s important to remember:

  • Seeking help takes courage. But you can do it!
  • Mental health issues are common. You are not alone.
  • People’s ideas about mental health can sometimes come from not knowing enough about it
  • Speaking opening and honestly about mental health and sharing real stories about mental illness can help reduce ideas that aren’t true
  • Asking for support can help you feel strong and independant because it teaches you things you can do yourself to help you feel better
  • Seeking help can assist you to support others when they are going through a tough time

13 11 14

Provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health services.

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1300 22 4636

24/7 online support service.

Increasing awareness around depression, anxiety and substance use issues around Australia.

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1800 18 7263

Mental health awareness, online peer support and information, stigma reduction, specialist helpline support, research and advocacy.

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Internationally recognised as a pioneer in the identification, prevention and treatment of mental illness. Here you’ll find information on getting help for:

  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Suicide & self-hard
  • Post-traumatic stress
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24/7 support, loads of stories, and resources for mental health issues.

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Modern meditation for supporting healthy minds.

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A national youth organisation helping young people with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.

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Will help you find a psychologist in your area.

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1800 55 1800

Free and private counselling service for kids aged 5-25.

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A national counselling referral service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.

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02 6296 8900

Free counselling service for men aged 12-25.

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1300 659 467

Provides immediate telephone and online counselling and support in a crisis.

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02 6296 8900

Free Indigenous health service, for those aged 0-25.

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02 6232 2423

Free health and support service for those aged 12-25 years.

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Online education and self-help.

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Modern meditation for supporting healthy minds

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Guided Meditation for kids and adults

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Programs

Sometimes a face-to-face program focused on mental health and wellbeing can be useful to help support you when you’re going through a tough time.

You might like to check out the following programs.

Cool Kids

P: 1800 068 698

Cool Kids is a group program for children aged 8-12 years. It helps you and your caregivers develop strategies to manage anxiety and support your mental health and wellbeing.

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Bungee Youth Resilience Program Belconnen Community Services

P: (02) 6264 0200
E: bungee@bcsact.com.au

Bungee is a program for young people aged 5-18. It’s an inclusive resilience-building program that promotes emotional wellbeing through the arts.

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Circles of Support YWCA

P: (02) 6294 4633
E: circlesofsupport@ywca-canberra.org.au

Circles of Support is a counselling service providing support, information and education about wellbeing for children and young people aged 5 to 15 years. You can bring a family member along as well.

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Barnardos Youth Mentoring Program

P: (02) 6228 9500
E: canberra@barnardos.org.au

This is a Mentoring Program for children and young people to support them through their education and with their social and emotional needs.

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Messengers Tuggeranong Arts Centre

P: (02) 6293 2212 (Penny)
M: 0456 859 252 (Kelsey)
E: messengers@tuggeranongarts.com

An arts based early support program for young people who are experiencing signs of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

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CALM (Continuing Adolescent Life Management)
Ted Noffs Foundation

P: (02) 6123 2400
E: palmactadmin@noffs.org.au

The Continuing Adolescent Life Management (CALM) program offers a range of services including individual and family counselling, life skills development and educational and vocational programs. Counselling is available for young people for a range of personal problems.

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Next

REMEMBER:

It’s never too early or too late to ask for help.

Take Me Home
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