For many, the biggest impact of COVID-19 will be financial. But there will also be a mental toll: fear, boredom, stress, anxiety, depression and an aching sense of alienation.
If anyone is looking for mental health resources, see here:
? Lifeline
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
? Reach Out
ReachOut is Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. Our practical support, tools and tips help young people get through anything from everyday issues to tough times – and the information we offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.
? Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to understanding, preventing and treating mental illness. They are about creating a world where mental illness is treated with the same level of concern, immediacy and seriousness as physical illness; where scientists work to discover the causes of illness and new treatments, and where discoveries are immediately put into practice through health services, technology and community education.
? Arts Well Being Collective
The Arts Wellbeing Collective is an Arts Centre Melbourne initiative that comprises a consortium of arts and cultural organisations who work together to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts, enabling the performing arts to thrive.
? Art and Mental Health AU
Art and Mental Health AU is a blog/ platform that was created to minimise mental health stigma in the arts & creative industries and provide a safe space for those in the arts and creative industries to share their stories and personal experiences. Their aim is to open and maintain a dialogue with people within these industries in the hopes that they feel heard and validated. We’ve lost many artists, actors, comedians, writers, dancers, roadies, directors, and especially musicians over the last few decades to various mental health struggles. In providing a safe space for people’s stories to be told, their hope is that we can minimise mental health stigma and the incidence of suicide and self harm, and raise the rate of people reaching out and seeking help.
? Support Act
Support Act is Australia’s only charity delivering crisis relief services to artists, crew and music workers as a result of ill health, injury, a mental health problem, or some other crisis that impacts on their ability to work in music. Established in 1997, their goal is to provide breathing space to help members of the music industry to get back on track when they have hit a tough patch or just need breathing space.
? Mensline
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. They’re here to help anywhere, anytime.
? Headspace
More than 75 per cent of mental health issues develop before a person turns 25. And yet, many traditional services aren’t equipped to address the unique barriers that young people face to accessing mental health support. headspace began in 2006 to address this critical gap, by providing tailored and holistic mental health support to 12 – 25 year olds. With a focus on early intervention, they work with young people to provide support at a crucial time in their lives – to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.
? Beyond Blue
3 million Australians are living with anxiety or depression. Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
? QLife
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
? SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national mental health charity making a real difference in the lives of people affected by complex mental health issues through support, research and advocacy.
? Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
? Entertainment Assist
Entertainment Assist is a national health promotion charity that raises awareness about mental health and wellbeing in the Australian entertainment industry and champions for generational change where:
– Industry workers are educated to be aware of their own mental wellbeing,
– Industry workers are educated to support their peers around mental health; and
– Industry employers actively support the mental health and wellbeing of employees.
? Roady 4 Roadies
Roadies are amongst the most essential figures in the entertainment world. The reality is, no road crew = no show and it’s with our mates in mind, and thanks to the overwhelming response to the inaugural event in March 2019. Despite their hard work and dedication to the artists and events they work with and for, many roadies find themselves in precarious health and financial circumstances and Roady4Roadies shines a much-deserved light on the diverse range of highly technical and creative skills required of live production crew, while raising desperately needed funds to help those in crisis.
?: Healthline
Take care of each other! ?