Mental health services and support
It's normal for a traumatic event to affect people emotionally. Even if not directly affected by the 2019-20 bushfires, these events can trigger memories and emotions related to previous traumatic experiences. This could happen weeks, months or even years afterwards.
Murray PHN has funded local health services to provide counselling services, advice and service options to people in our region affected by the 2019-20 bushfires.
The services offered are:
- free of charge, offering up to 10 mental health counselling sessions to individuals, families and emergency personnel affected by bushfires
- delivered by appropriately highly skilled, qualified and credentialed clinicians
- available to individuals in locations most impacted by the bushfires, including through telehealth and recovery hubs
- provided on an outreach basis in the short to medium term, to ensure access by communities most impacted by the bushfires.
To access this support, contact your local provider:
| Local Government Area | Service Provider | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Towong (Corryong and surrounds) | Corryong Health | Call: 02 6076 3200 |
| Towong (all of shire) | Gateway Health | Call: 1800 657 573 |
| Alpine | Alpine Health | Call or text: 0437 460 241 or email: recovery@alpinehealth.org.au |
| Indigo Wangaratta Wodonga and Mansfield | Gateway Health | Call: 1800 657 573 |
For more information, send an email addressed to the Bushfire Recovery Coordinator at: nestaff@murrayphn.org.au
Other counselling services and support options:
- Navspace online guide to mental health and wellbeing services in the North East Victoria.
- Albury Wodonga Mental Health Triage Service available for residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for mental health triage, assessment and referral call 1300 104 211
- Corryong Health provides case coordination and support services for adults living with mental health concerns (02) 6076 3200
- Family and Domestic Violence call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
- NURSE-ON-CALL 1300 60 60 24 for expert health information and advice 24/7
- Australian Psychological Society Referral Service 1800 333 497
- New Access: Free mental health coaching program 1300 921 535 (option 2)
- Head to Health: Free mental health support for anyone affected by COVID-19, call 1800 595 212 8.30am – 5pm Monday – Friday (except public holidays)
- Mensline: Phone and online counselling 1300 789 978
- Lifeline: 24/7 crisis support 13 11 14
- Black Dog Institute Bush Fire Support Service provides free mental health support for emergency service workers and their partners affected by bushfires
- Q Life: LGBTI peer telephone and webchat support 1800 184 527
- Suicide Call Back Service: 24/7 phone and online counselling for people affected by suicide 1300 659 467
- Parentline 13 22 89
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Mental health information and resources:
- Information about mental health supports and how to access these in fire affected communities can be found on the Human Services website
- Black Dog Institute integrates research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, and clinical services for people of all ages
- Emerging Minds: Community Trauma Toolkit
- Beyondblue: Bushfires and mental health
- Beyondblue: Looking after yourself after a disaster
- Betterhealth Channel: Trauma - reaction and recovery
- UNICEF Australia: How to talk to your children about Australia's bushfire emergency
- Pheonix Australia: Joel and the storm, a story for children who have experienced trauma
- Australian Psychological Society: Looking after children who are anxious about bushfire season
- headspace: How young people can cope with the stress of natural disasters
- headspace: How family and friends can support a child after a natural disaster
Page last updated 1 July 2022