Mental Health Tips and Resources During the Pandemic

Tips for staying calm and healthy

 For your mental wellbeing, there are a number of things you can do:

• Maintain a healthy diet, exercise and sleep regime.
• Talk to loved ones about worries and concerns.
• Engage in hobbies and enjoyable activities.
• Be prepared – ensure you have enough food, supplies and medication on hand. Ask for help collecting these items where possible.
• Avoid or reduce your use of alcohol and tobacco.
• You may feel stressed listening to the news, so make sure you receive information through trusted and credible sources, rather than social media. Make sure one of those sources is specific to your state. This will help you feel more in control. If you can’t access the internet, get a friend or family member to read to you or show you the most up-to-date information from credible sources
  • Australian Government coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert
  • World Health Organization – coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

Staying positive

While it might feel like we don’t have control of current events, it’s important to remember that we can do many things to feel empowered and enabled.

Find opportunities of sharing positive and hopeful stories with others, generate positive emotions by sharing memories, and take the opportunity to show acts of kindness.

Staying connected

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic highlights the importance of community and social connections in improving our health and wellbeing. 

Connect with friends and family: 

• Staying connected with friends and family at this time can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• For older Australians, now might be the time to embrace technology. Younger family members can help you get set up and guide you through the process. Give it a go!
• If you are more comfortable with the phone, call friends and family for regular catch-ups. You could even write notes or letters. 

OR call for support:

There are plenty of ways to support other people, or be supported if you are feeling anxious or uncertain.

Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
A crisis support service offering short term support at any time for people who are having difficulty coping or staying safe.
www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue 1800 512 348
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.
https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/

Eheadspace 1800 650 893
Online and webchat support and counselling for 12-25 year olds, their family and friends.
www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

Care in Mind – online and phone counselling for people living, working, or studying in Melbourne’s northern, central, and western suburbs. Phone: 1300 096 269 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). CareinMIND online counselling.

MensLine – professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Phone 1300 78 99 78 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). MensLine online counselling.

Mindspot – free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression and can help you find local services. Call 1800 61 44 34 (8am – 8pm, Monday – Friday; 8am-6pm, Saturday).

Suicide Call Back Service – mental health support, call back service: 1300 659 467 or online at suicidecallbackservice.org.au (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Youth focused mental health and support services 

• Headspace – Call eheadspace on 1800 650 890 or online at www.headspace.org.au
• Kids Helpline – Call 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
• ReachOut – Online at reachout.com.au
• SANE Australia – Call 1800 187 263 or online at sane.org
• Orygen Digital – Call 1800 888 320 or online at Moderated Online Social Therapy platform

Source: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19#videos