Coronavirus Australia: Free mental health and wellbeing support during the COVID-19 pandemic
Struggling during COVID but can’t get to see a therapist? These are accessible, free and easy ways of getting help online.
When we’re not coping, it’s not always possible to see a psychologist for help.
Sometimes there are barriers to professional support services – cost, distance, availability and, more recently, coronavirus lockdowns.
If you’re struggling during COVID-19, there are a number of free and accessible tools available.
The mental health organisation Beyond Blue has created a Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service to help people struggling during the pandemic.
There’s a phone helpline and online chat staffed by trained counsellors, as well as a forum to engage with other Australians.
On top of that, Beyond Blue has developed a stack of helpful resources on everything from financial stress to maintaining a work-life balance and setting goals.
Best of all, it’s entirely free and highly accessible.
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Mental health not-for-profit The Banksia Project has launched a free program called Growth Rooms, where you can connect with others, learn practical lifestyle tips and share your experiences.
The two-hour weekly or monthly group sessions are led by trained facilitators and guide participants through coping mechanisms designed by mental health professionals.
It’s a judgment-free space of no more than 10 people to connect and discuss how to navigate the ups-and-downs of coronavirus.
A recent survey found that after just three Growth Room sessions, participants felt 40 per cent more connected, 30 per cent more resilient and 25 per cent happier.
For young people struggling with coronavirus, Kids Helpline has developed dedicated resources on coping with quarantine, managing anxiety and staying positive.
There are a wealth of guides on stress, depression, uncertainty and loss, as well as advice on family dynamics and schooling.
There are video resources and a podcast too.
And Kids Helpline’s telephone and web chat counselling services remain available.
Offered by the Black Dog Institute, HeadGear is a free smartphone app guiding you through a 30-day mental fitness course.
Designed by mental health experts, it helps to build resilience and wellbeing, reducing the effects of depression and anxiety.
The simple and engaging daily tasks are designed to help with stress, dealing with difficult situations, trouble sleeping and relationships.
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Youth-focused mental health service ReachOut has developed a coronavirus resource for young people and their parents.
As well as self-help tools on managing anxiety and study stress, support service referral information, it has a peer support program available for people to connect and share their experiences.
There are also tips for parents on how to help their kids cope with coronavirus and lockdown restrictions.
Reports indicate a sharp rise in instances of family violence during coronavirus, worsened by restrictions on movement and leaving the home.
The National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service has confidential information, support and advice available 24 hours a day.
You can reach the hotline on 1800 RESPECT (737 732) or use the online chat function on their website.
Smiling Mind is a free meditation app for young people, developed by a team of psychologists, teaching mindfulness techniques to promote calmness, contentment and clarity.
While it’s geared at younger people, there’s no reason the young-at-heart can’t also use it and take advantage of the tools on offer.
There are programs for adults in the app, as well as guided meditations focusing on sleep, stress and wellbeing.
For older Australians struggling with coronavirus, MindSpot runs a free Wellbeing Plus Course for adults aged 60 and over.
It provides tips on learning to manage mild, moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, teaching core skills to improve confidence and quality of life.
Some people are especially vulnerable during these difficult times.
For veterans and their families, Open Arms offers counselling services telephone or video, as well as peer support.
Face-to-face support is also available - except in Melbourne at present. Call the 24-hour support line on 1800 011 046 to find out more.
Australian-based platform Blisspot is a personal development service that also offers free wellbeing tools and resources, including courses on goal-tracking.
There are community forums and the ability to book one-on-one sessions with experts in everything from psychology to nurtirition.
It’s gender-agnostic but Blisspot says men have accounted for more than half of the surge in users since COVID-19.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis hotline on 13 11 14 to speak to someone.
They also have a chat feature on their website that operates from 7pm to midnight.
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