There is a wide range of services and support available to people in the Mitchell Shire and surrounding areas. Below is a list of options – but often a good starting point is a GP referral:
Urgent/ emergency
Emergency services, for ambulance and police – call triple zero
Goulburn Valley Health, for Mitchell Shire residents aged 16-64 who require crisis support for mental health – call 1300 369 005
Lifeline, a national charity providing 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians – call 13 11 14; text 0477 131 114; visit www.lifeline.org.au.
Suicide Call Back Service, a nationwide service counselling to people affected by suicide – call 1300 659 467; visit www.suicidecallbackservice.org,au.
Severe/episodic
Goulburn Valley Health, provides range of services and community care for people suffering from, or at risk of, serious mental health problems requiring short and long-term treatment and support. Goulburn Valley Health Area Mental Health Service covers the municipalities of Mitchell and Murrdindindi. Accepts self-referrals, encorages referrals from GP or counsellor. Call Seymour office 5735 0500 or Shepparton 5832 1260 during business hours, or crisis line 1300 369 005 (24 hours).
APMHA Healthcare, provides intake, triage, secondary consultation and clinical and psychological services, for people with severe mental illnesses. .
Wellways, the National Psychosocial Support Measure is a community-based mental health support for people aged over 18 in Mitchell and Murrindindi shires, experiencing mental health issues. Call 1300 111 400, visit www.wellways.org/our-services/your-health-and-wellbeing.
Headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation provides early intervention mental health services for 12-25 year olds. Shepparton office, call 5823 8800 or email headspace@gvhealth.org.au; Craigieburn, call 8338 0919 or email headspacecraigieburn@orygen.org.au.
Mild/moderate
APMHA Healthcare, had a range of free short-term face-to-face or telehealth psychological services. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is required. Services available include for low need and moderate need clients; bushfire counselling services, and older minds mental health program for residential aged care facilities. .
Nexus Primary Health, offers a counselling team made of psychologists, mental health occupational therapists and mental health social workers and general counsellors. Call 1300 773 352, visit www.nexusprimaryhealth.org.au/our-services/counselling-services.
Kilmore District Health, has a social worker offering counselling, support and information to patients, residents and family in Kilmore and surrounding area. Call 5734 2164 or visit www.kilmoredistricthealth.org.au/allied-health.
Seymour Health, a social worker services Seymour and surrounding areas. Call 5793 6100.
Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative, services include mental health nursing, psychology and psychiatry, in Shepparton. Call 5820 0035, visit www.rumballara.org.au/health-wellbeing.
The Bridge Youth Service, located in Wallan, Seymour and Shepparton. Free support services for young people with an intake worker available to discuss eligibility. Other programs include adolescent support, youth homelessness, pregnancy and parenting, early intervention – alcohol and drugs, education support. Call 5799 1298, email shepparton@thebridge.org.au or visit www.thebridge.org.au.
Carer support
Carer getaway, phone or in-person support such as coaching, counselling, peer support, information and advice. Call 1800 422 737 or visit www.carergetaway.gov.au.
CALD/asylum seekers/refugees
Cabrini Outreach, a range of health service for people seeking asylum or newly-arrived refugees. Call 9380 7874.
Primary Care Connect, refugee trauma counsellors available. Free service. Call 5823 3200 or email intake@primarycareconnect.com.au.
Keeping well
Prevention United, provides information and strategies for people, parents, caregivers and organisational and community leaders. .
VicHealth, Be Healthy blog provides information on health eating, physical activity, mental wellbeing and reducing harm from alcohol and tobacco. .
Smiling Mind, a tool to help bring balance to your life, 10 minutes a day, free app. Visit www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app.
National services
Health to Health, visit www.headtohealth.gov.au.
Beyond Blue, 1300 22 46 36 or www.beyondblue.org.au.
Eating Disorders Victoria, 1300 55 02 36, or www.eatingdisorders.org.au.
The Butterfly Foundation, 1800 33 46 73, www.butterfly.org.au.
MensLine Australia, 1300 78 99 78, www.mensline.org.au.
QLife, 1800 184 527, www.qlife.org.au.
Kids Helpline, 1800 55 1800, www.kidshelpline.com.au.
Reach Out, www.au.reachout.com.
Suicide Victoria, 1300 651 251, www.suicide.org.au.
Head to Help, 1800 595 212, www.headtohelp.org.au.
Mind Spot, 1800 614 434, www.mindsport.org.au.
eMHprac, www.emhprac.org.au.
SANE Australia, 1800 187 263, www.sane.org.
Australian Community Support Organisation, 1300 375 330, www.acso.org.au/aod-mh-support.
