Northern Territory
Help for depression
This directory is designed for information purposes only. The BluePages team is not responsible for, and does not necessarily endorse or recommend the practitioners and services listed here (see Disclaimer). Although we strive to keep the directory up to date, no guarantee is given about the relevance and accuracy of the directory listings provided. Directory last reviewed: 3rd December, 2009.
EMERGENCY HELP
Mental health services
Psychologists & mental health practitioners
Medications advice
Telephone counselling & helplines
University counselling services (for students)
Self help, resource centres, & consumer organisations
Services for carers
Community courses
Support groups
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
* If you are using a mobile phone and 000 doesn't work, you can call 112 to access the Emergency Call Service. If you have a hearing or speech impairment and can access a TTY (teletypewriter), call 106 for the text-based Emergency Call Service.
Northern Territory Mental Health on Call Team
Tel: 08 8999 4988 – Top End
Tel: 08 8951 7777 – Central Australia
Free call: 1800 019 116 (Crisis Line)
Mental health services
General
The Northern Territory Mental Health Services (NTMHS) is provides a range of assessment and treatment services for people with mental illness or other mental health related problems. Inpatient and community based services are provided in Darwin and Alice Springs. Rural and remote community mental health services are also located in Darwin Rural, Katherine, East Arnhem, Alice Springs Remote and the Barkly Regions.
For more information and for useful contacts in the Northern Territory, download the Consumers Guide to the Mental Health and Related Services Act (PDF file) from: http://digitallibrary.health.nt.gov.au/dspace/bitstream/10137/332/1/Consumers%20Guides%20to%20the%20Mental%20Health%20and%20Related%20Services%20Act.pdf.
Lifeline Service Finder
Web: www.justlook.org.au
The Lifeline Service Finder is a directory of free or low cost health and community services available in Australia. It includes accommodation, domestic violence, family and children's services, financial assistance and mental health services.
Psychologists & mental health practitioners
The Australian Psychological Society referral service
Free call: 1800 333 497 (outside Melbourne)
Email: referral@psychology.org.au
Web: www.psychology.org.au/ReferralService/About
The Australian Psychological Society offers a referral service. They will provide the names of private psychologists in the Northern Territory who offer the services you want (eg, cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy for depression). Alternatively, you can search by entering the name of your suburb (or town).
beyondblue Directory of Mental Health Practitioners
Tel: 1300 22 4636 (Info Line)
Web: www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=107.1007
For the cost of a local call, the beyondblue info line provides callers with access to information and referral to relevant services for depression and anxiety related matters. Visit the above website to find the relevant Mental Health Practitioner in your area.
Medications advice
Psychotropic Drug Advisory Service
Tel: 03 9388 1633 (STD charges may apply)
Email: enquiries@mhri.edu.au
Web: www.mhri.edu.au/psychotropic.htm
Provides advice to medical practitioners and the general public on choosing treatments, response, side effects of medications and interactions with other medications; as well as information on using medications by special groups such as children and adolescents, the elderly and women who are pregnant or breast feeding. The service can be contacted via email or by phoning the Mental Health Research Institute number given above and asking to be transferred to the Drug Advisory Service.
Telephone counselling & helplines
beyondblue Info Line
Tel: 1300 22 4636 (24 hour service)
For the cost of a local call, the beyondblue info line provides callers with access to information and referral to relevant services for depression and anxiety related matters (not a counselling service).
CAN Mental Health Phone Connections
Tel: 02 8206 1841 (Sydney Central Coast) or 1300 135 846 (outside Sydney Central Coast)
Web: www.canmentalhealth.org.au/Xoops/
Phone Connections is a national peer support and information referral line for four nights per week (Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Please visit the website for current phone hours.
Kids Helpline
Tel: 1800 55 1800 (24 hour service)
Web: www.kidshelp.com.au
Provides specialised help for young people aged 5 to 25 years, and is staffed by professional counsellors. Daily web-counselling available (see website for current times) and email counselling (not for crisis).
Lifeline
Tel: 13 11 14 (24 hour service)
Web: www.lifeline.org.au
Volunteers with professional support, trained in responding to callers concerned about suicide. Provides general counselling and referrals to services in caller's local community.
MensLine
Tel: 1300 789 978 (24 hour service)
Web: www.menslineaus.org.au
Provided by professional staff. The website also includes moderated forums with specific spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Vietnamese and Arabic men, rural men, partners, children.
SANE Mental Illness Helpline
Tel: 1800 18 SANE (1800 18 7263)
Web: www.sane.org/helpline/helpline/helpline.html
Provides information and referral for callers concerned about mental illness anywhere in Australia (not a counselling service).
Suicide Call Back Service
Tel: 1300 659 467
Web: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
The Suicide Call Back Service is a free nation-wide telephone support service for people at risk of suicide, their carers and people bereaved by suicide. It supports callers through a series of six 50-minute telephone counselling sessions, scheduled to suit the caller. Some after hours appointments are available.
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service
Tel: 1800 011 046
Web: www.dva.gov.au/health_and_wellbeing/health_programs/vvcs/Pages/index.aspx
Run by the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service (DVA) and diverts to Lifeline afterhours. For all veteran and currently serving defence force officers and those in personal relationship with them.
University counselling services (for students)
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6288 (Support & Equity services)
Web: www.cdu.edu.au/ses/student-support.html
Provides counselling for students attending Charles Darwin University.
Self help, resource centres, & consumer organisations
Beacon
Web:www.beacon.anu.edu.au
Provides consumers and professionals with information about e-health online applications for mental health and physical health disorders. Websites throughout the world are reviewed and ranked by a panel of health experts. Consumers can also submit rankings and comments. Beacon is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
e-couch Personal Self Help
Web: www.ecouch.anu.edu.au
An interactive, evidence-based, self help program that includes modules for social anxiety and generalised anxiety, as well as depression. It provides self help interventions drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity. e-couch is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
Headspace
Web: www.headspace.org.au
Provides information and assistance for young people experiencing mental health and/or substance issues and their families. Headspace sites are available in Central Australia and in the Top End.
JobAccess
Tel: 1800 464 800
Web: www.jobaccess.gov.au
Provides advice on matters relating to the employment of people with a disability, including those with mental health conditions. The website includes information on practical workplace solutions to overcome barriers in the workplace as well as access to the Australian Government funding via the Workplace Modification Scheme.
MoodGYM Training Program
Web: www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
An interactive, evidence-based program for depression which incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy. Research has found MoodGYM to be helpful in reducing symptoms of depression in users (See Online Prevention). MoodGYM is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
Suicide Prevention Australia
Web: http://suicidepreventionaust.org
SPA is a non-profit, non-government organisation working as a public health advocate in suicide prevention. The website provides information and resources for people who are feeling suicidal, helping someone at risk of suicide, people moving forward after a suicide attempt, and bereavement support for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. SPA has also produced a DVD to help men living in rural Australia.
Top End Association for Mental Health (TEAM Health)
Tel: 08 8943 9600 (Darwin) or 1300 780 081 (STD)
Email: teamhealth@teamhealth.asn.au
Web: www.teamhealth.asn.au
Provides services for people who have a mental illness, including information, referral, practical support and life-skills rehabilitation.
Top End Mental Health Consumers Organisation (TEMHCO)
Tel: 08 8988 3587
Provides mutual support, systems advocacy and social events for people with mental illness.
Carer organisations & services
ARAFMI: Mental health Carers NT
Tel: 08 8948 1051
Web: www.mentalhealthcarersnt.org
An association for carers of people with a mental illness.
Carers NT
Tel: 08 8948 4877 | Free call: 1800 242 636 (National Carer Advisory & Counselling Service)
Web: www.ntcarers.asn.au
Offers carer information, support, and counselling.
Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre
Free call: 1800 022 022 (National)
Emergency respite: 1800 059 059
Web: www9.health.gov.au/ccsd
Provides free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available anywhere within Australia.
Mental health community education courses
LivingWorks Suicide Intervention Training
Web: www.lifeline.org.au/learn_more/livingworks
LivingWorks is a Lifeline national service. It provides community training to equip people to help persons at risk of suicide keep safe and access further support.
Mental Health First Aid
Web: www.mhfa.com.au
Provides first aid courses focussing on mental health issues, including depression and suicide intervention training. Visit the website for first aid strategies for helping someone going through a mental health crisis.
Support groups
The Black Dog Institute maintains a list of organisations that run or coordinate mental health support groups in NT, available at: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/gettinghelp/supportgroups.cfm#NORTHERN.
Alternatively, contact TEAM Health on 08 8981 4399 or 1300 780 081 and ask about support services available in the Northern Territory.
Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
Web: 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.
BlueBoard Bulletin Board
Web: www.blueboard.anu.edu.au
An online support group for people affected by depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. It aims to reduce stigma, and to provide support, hope and opportunities for sharing successful coping strategies. The group is run as a moderated bulletin board with strict protocols to enhance safety and privacy. Forums for carers are also available. BlueBoard is developed and delivered by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
GROW Northern Territory
Tel: 08 8985 4799 | Free call: 1800 558 268
Email: nt@grow.net.au
Web: www.grow.net.au
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.