Tasmania
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: 4th July, 2011.
EMERGENCY HELP
Mental health services
Psychologists & mental health practitioners
Medications advice
Telephone counselling & helplines
University counselling services (for students)
Public services providers
Self help, resources, & consumer organisations
Carer organisations & services
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
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
* 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.
Tasmanian Mental Health Services Helpline
Tel: 1800 332 388 (24 hour service)
The Tasmanian Mental Health Services Helpline is operated by mental health professionals who will give you advice and help to arrange mental health assessment and intervention for persons in need.
Mental health services
General
The Tasmanian Government provides free and confidential mental health services for children, adolescents, adults and older people. These services are staffed by community teams around the State.
For more information, please visit the Mental Health Services website at www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/mentalhealth/mental_health_services_in_tasmania. All services can be accessed by calling the Mental Health Services Helpline on 1300 322 388.
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.
Living Is For Everyone
Web: www.livingisforeveryone.com.au
The Commonwealth government's Living Is For Everyone (LIFE) website is a world-class suicide and self-harm prevention resource. Dedicated to providing the best available evidence and resources to guide activities aimed at reducing the rate at which people take their lives in Australia, the LIFE website is designed for people across the community who are involved in suicide and self-harm prevention activities.
Psychologists & mental health practitioners
The Australian Clinical Psychology Association locator
Web: www.findapsychologist.com.au/index.php
The Australian Clinical Psychology Association offers an online search tool to help you find a local Clinical Psychologist who offers the services you want (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy for depression).
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 ACT who offer the services you want (eg, cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy for depression). Alternatively, use the online search on the website to find a practitioner in your area.
beyondblue Directory of Mental Health Practitioners
Tel: 1300 22 4636 (Info Line) | TTY: 133 677
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 for callers outside Victoria)
Email: enquiries@mhri.edu.au
Web: www.mhri.edu.au/psychotropic-drug-advice
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) | TTY: 133 677
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: 1300 135 846
Web: http://canmentalhealth.org.au/resources/forms/phone-connections.html
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. Calls to Lifeline from a landline are usually the cost of a local call, and calls from mobile phones are free of charge.
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/information/helpline
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 (24 hour service)
Web: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
The Suicide Call Back Service provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide, 24 hours per day 7 days a week across Australia. People who are not linked in with current professional support can also access up to six sessions of ongoing counselling with the same counsellor at times scheduled to suit you.
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service
Tel: 1800 011 046
Web: http://at-ease.dva.gov.au
The VVCS provides counselling and group programs to Australian veterans and peacekeepers and their families and is run by qualified psychologists or social workers. Visit the website for more information about mental health and online resources.
University counselling services (for students)
The following Tasmanian universities provide counselling services for their students. Some also provide counselling for their staff.
University of Tasmania
Tel: 03 6226 2697 or TTY: 6226 2587 – Hobart campus
Tel: 03 6324 3787 or TTY: 6324 3847 – Launceston campus
Tel: 03 6430 4949 – Cradle Coast campus
Web: www.support-equity.utas.edu.au/counselling
Public services providers
UTAS Psychology Clinic
Tel: 03 6226 2805
Web: http://fcms.its.utas.edu.au/scieng/psychol/cpage.asp?lcpageID=4
The University Psychology Clinic at the University of Tasmania offers psychological services to the community. The Clinic is staffed by a Clinic Director, who is a registered clinical psychologist, in conjunction with teaching staff in the clinical psychology training program. Psychology postgraduate students (Psychology Interns), working towards Masters and Doctoral degrees undertake supervised casework with staff in the Clinic.
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 depression, social anxiety and generalised anxiety, divorce and relationship breakdown, and bereavement and loss. 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 Northern Tasmania
Tel: 03 6335 3100
Email: headspace@cornerstoneyouthservices.com.au
Web: www.headspace.org.au/northerntasmania
Provides information and assistance for young people experiencing mental health and/or substance issues and their families. Headspace Northern Tasmania is also a free health service for young people aged 12-25.
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.
Mental Health Council of Tasmania
Tel: 03 6224 9222 | Free call: 1800 808 890
Web: www.mhct.org
A mental health advocacy group representing the interests of the community mental health sector consumer organisations, carer organisations and service provider organisations in Tasmania at a state and national level.
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.
Carer organisations & services
ARAFMI Tasmania (Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill)
Tel: 03 6228 7448 (Support line)
Web: www.arafmitas.org.au
A community group who have a close family member or friend with a mental illness. Provides support groups, information, referral services, and community awareness and advocacy.
Carers Tasmania
Tel: 03 6231 5507 | Free call: 1800 242 636 (National Carer Advisory & Counselling Service)
Web: www.carersaustralia.com.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 Tasmania, available at: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/gettinghelp/supportgroups.cfm#TASMANIA.
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 aged 18 years or over and who are 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
Tel: 03 6223 6284 | Free call: 1800 558 268
Email: tas@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.