New South Wales
Help for depression
Mental health services
University Counselling services
Self help/consumer organisations/resource centres
Carer organisations
Mental health community education courses
Psychologists
EMERGENCY HELP
Mental health services
General
Contact the mental health service in your local area for help with depression.
Mental Health Association NSW Inc.
(Information referral line for metropolitan and country NSW)
http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/
Ph. 02 9816 5688 (Sydney) or 1800 674 200 (if you live in the country) Contact this association to find out the number for your nearest local mental health service. Hours are from 9am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
Central Coast Central intake/crisis
Ph. 02 4320 3500
If you live in the Central Coast area this line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calling this number will put you in contact with a triage team. An assessment of your depressive symptoms can be made over the phone. You can then be referred for appropriate help. If necessary, a crisis team can be sent out.
NSW government mental health services.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/services/
You can search this site to locate mental health services in your area. Under 'service type' select mental health. Then use the name of the area health service where you live or the map to search for services in your area. Alternatively, you can search by entering the name of your suburb (or town).
Mental health Information for Rural and Remote Australia
Ph. 1300 785 005
Provides information about mental health services in rural areas. Hours are 9am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
Black Dog Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital and University of New South Wales.
Ph. 02 9382 4530
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
The Black Dog Institute is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility offering specialist expertise in depression and Bipolar Disorder.
University counselling services (for students)
The following NSW universities provide counselling services for their students. (Some also provide counselling services to their staff).
Charles Sturt University.
Albury Campus. Ph. 02 6051 6851
Bathurst Campus. Ph. 02 6338 4678
Goulburn Campus (Police Academy) Ph. 02 4823 2858
Wagga Wagga Campus. Ph. 02 6933 2376
http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/counsell/index.htm
Macquarie University
Ph. 02 9850 7497.
http://www.mq.edu.au/uchs/
University of New England
Ph. 02 6773 2897.
http://www.une.edu.au/counselling/
University of New South Wales
Ph. 02 9385 5418
http://www.counselling.unsw.edu.au/
University of Newcastle
Callaghan Campus Ph. 02 4921 5801
Central Coast Campus. Ph. 02 4348 4060
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/counselling/
Southern Cross University
Lismore Campus. Ph. 02 6620 3943
Coffs Harbour Campus. Ph. 02 6659 3263
http://www.scu.edu.au/admin/studentservices/index.php?page_id=15&menu=7_29
University of Sydney
Ph: 02 9351 2228
http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/counsel/
University of Technology, Sydney
City Campus. Ph. 02 9514 1177
Kuring-gai Campus. Ph. 02 9514 5342
http://www.uts.edu.au/div/ssu/counsell.html
University of Western Sydney
Bankstown Campus. Ph. 02 9772 6401
Blacktown Campus. Ph. 02 9852 4065
Campbelltown Campus. Ph. 02 4620 3191
Hawkesbury Campus. Ph. 02 4570 1984
Parramatta Campus. Ph. 02 9685 9266
Penrith Campus. Ph. 02 4736 0235
http://www.uws.edu.au/students/counselling_disability/counsellingservice
University of Wollongong
Ph. 02 4221 3445
http://www.uow.edu.au/student/services/cs/
Self help & consumer organisations & mental health resources
GROW
Ph. 02 9569 5566
This is a self help organisation for people who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses. GROW is based on a 12 step self help program. Members meet weekly.
Depression and Mood Disorders Association (DMDA).
http://dmda.mentalhealth.asn.au/
Support groups for consumers and carers with a mood disorder. Contact the NSW Association for Mental Health Information and referral Service on 02 9816 5688 or 1800 674 200 to learn more about DMDA groups.
The Mental Health Association NSW Inc.
Ph. 02 9816 5688 or 1800 674 200
http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au
Information/resources, support groups, and referral line.
POSIE
Ph: 02 9489 091
http://www.posie.org.au/
POSIE is a non-profit group which provides support for families affected by antenatal and postnatal depression or anxiety. POSIE offers Perinatal Outreach, Support, Information & Education to families in New South Wales. This service is run by volunteers who have experienced PND or psychosis and recovered.
BabyBumps
Ph: 02 99404825
http://www.babybumps.com.au/
BabyBumps is a support group based in the Hornsby area, for mothers and families experiencing perinatal mood disorders. BabyBumps run twice weekly support group sessions, a weekly supported playgroup session, as well as other services, all of which are free of charge.
Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.aa.org.au
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
CARE for Families
Ph: 02 9745 1529
CARE for Families provides counseling, advocacy, referrals, and support groups for people with a mental illness and their families, carers and friends.
This free program is located at Enfield and Rockdale.
Carers organisations
ARAFMI (Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill)
Ph 02 9805 1883 or Toll Free 1800 655 198 (NSW residents only)
http://www.arafmi.org/
This is an association for carers of people with a mental illness.
Carer's Association
Ph. 02 9280 4744
Ph. 1800 242 636 (toll free)
http://www.carernsw.asn.au/
Mental Health community education courses
Mental Health First Aid
http://www.mhfa.com.au/
First aid courses focussing on mental health issues.
Psychologists
The Australian Psychological Society offers a referral service (Toll free 1800 333 497). They will provide the names of private psychologists in the NSW who offer the services you want (eg, cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy for depression).
Emergency help
If you are feeling suicidal or need urgent help call one of the following:
Emergency - 000
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Kids HelpLine - 1800 55 1800
The nearest hospital
They can arrange a crisis team to come or can advise where to get help in your area.
Salvo suicide helpline
Ph: 02 9331 2000
If you live on the Central Coast, call Central Intake/CRISIS 24 hours, 7 days
Ph: 02 4320 3500