Living under lockdown conditions and global pandemic uncertainties can be trying for the mind and body and now, more than ever, we are encouraged to look after our mental health.
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The psychological effect of the bushfires, paired with the repercussions of COVID-19, have been hard on many of us for different reasons and it is important to know about the services around us.
A national survey into mental health in 2017-18 found 1 in 5 Australians reported they had a mental or behavioural condition, and youth aged 15-24 had the highest proportion of mental or behavioural conditions overall.
There are so many services out there and it can be hard to know which one is best suited to you, below we attempt to simplify the process by listing them into two categories.
These include the services available within the Bega Valley Shire; and the larger, non-local based services you can access over the phone or online.
In the Bega Valley
Your local General Practitioners (GP)
In most cases, when unsure where to go first, the first step is consulting with a General Practitioner, who can work out a Mental Health Treatment Plan catered to you and refer you to an allied health professional.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a treatment strategy prepared by a GP in consultation with you, and it looks at your mental health needs and goals, and outlines treatment options and support services to reach those goals.
Headspace Bega - providing support services to youth aged 12-25
Headspace offers Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drugs, Sexual and Physical health and Vocational support services to youth as well as support to their family and friends.
The organisation also offers a telehealth service for people living and working in regional and remote areas of Australia that struggle to access a psychiatrist.
Headspace Telehealth includes video consultations with qualified psychiatrists, to find out more about it, visit their website at: headspace.org.au/our-services/telehealth/
The Bega office is located at the rooftop car park of the Sapphire Marketplace, 83 Upper Street, Bega.
To find out more on the range of services Headspace provides overall, visit their website at: headspace.org.au
Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services - Bega Branch
Katungul provides health care to the Koori people on the Far South Coast of New South Wales.
The Katungul medical clinic is a bulk billing service and offers a range of treatments and services.
In line with COVID-restrictions, Katungul also offers telehealth appointments (over the phone or online), as well as mental health and social health services to patients.
Patients must have had a health check with their GP first however, before accessing these services, to find out more ring your nearest Katungul Clinic or the free number service: 1800 804 201.
Katungul provides holistic and culturally appropriate wellbeing services for and with Aboriginal communities.
Katungul offers support outside of their clinical services and encourages community members to get in touch if they're experiencing hardship of looking for support.
Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS)
The Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS) provides non-judgemental and respectful alcohol and other drug treatment, alongside integrated primary health, mental health, and Aboriginal health services.
SHaWS is based on a holistic, harm minimisation approach that recognises different stages of recovery, individuals' needs and goals, and the impact of substance use on friends and family.
SHaWS delivers services from a range of sites across the Bega, Eden, Bermagui, and Wallaga Lake areas.
The main SHaWS office is located at 83 Upper Street, Bega, and services are also offered through Katungul.
To find our more on the specific services they provide visit their website at: sapphire-health-and-wellbeing-service-shaws or call (02) 6494 8870.
Bega Valley Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN)
Bega Valley SPAN is a health promotion charity that is made up of volunteers from a variety of settings, including mental health services, educators, emergency services, business, as well as community members with lived experience.
Please note, SPAN is not a crisis response service, instead, they promote access to appropriate preventative services and offer after suicide support services.
SPAN members are volunteers who use their knowledge and experience to help reduce and raise awareness around suicide.
It also provides a Suicide Bereavement Support Group, to find out more visit their website at: bvspan.org.au or visit their BVSPAN Facebook page.
One Door Mental Health
One Door Mental Health is a leading mental health service provider that specialises in severe and persistent mental illnesses.
These include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder.
Like the SPAN team, One Door Mental Health's team is made up of members that have lived experience, which helps them in turn, offer better expertise in mental health.
Through One Door, people living with mental illness and their families can find an inclusive community, innovative services and advocacy support.
The Bega office is located at 101 -103 Bega Street, Bega and is open Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 5pm.
Alternatively you can call 0466 329 315 or email: carerservices@onedoor.org.au to get in touch.
To find out more on the specific services they offer or more information overall, visit their website at:onedoor.org.au or call: 1800 843 539
Southern NSW Local Health District - Mental Health Services
Southern NSW Local Health District offers mental health services at hospitals throughout south-east NSW.
The ones available within the Bega Valley include: Eden Community Health, Pambula Health Service and the Bega South East Regional Hospital.
Mental health services are provided for all age groups and provided by trained and caring staff to assist people in becoming resilient and independent to self-manage their illness and recovery.
The read the list of areas of mental health they cover and more about their services, visit the Health NSW website: snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/our-services/mental-health-services
For mental health inquiries and to make an appointment call 1800 011 511.
This service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Pathways Bega Valley - specialist support for people impacted by alcohol and other drug issues
Pathways Bega Valley's treatment and support service is based on a harm minimisation approach.
These services are provided for youth and adults and helps people in setting individual goals regarding substance use, learning about and dealing with the different stages of recovery and the impacts of substance use on friends and family.
Pathways Bega Valley can also support people during times of crisis and encourage people who need support to come forward.
To book an appointment or enquire call 6494 8870 or email: pathways.begavalley@directionshealth.com, otherwise click here for the webpage pamphlet.
Pathways Bega works in partnership with Headspace Bega and Grand Pacific Health and is co-located with both at Rooftop, Sapphire Market Place, on Upper Street, Bega.
Free over-the-phone mental health services
Beyondblue - currently offering Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service (CMWSS)
The CMWSS is designed to support people through the pandemic by offering trained counsellors that are available all hours of the day and night.
It is a free service that offers tips and strategies for self-guided support, referrals, information and support from counsellors briefed on the pandemic response.
You can reach out either via phone: 1800 512 348 or find out more on their website: coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Lifeline crisis support
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Lifeline has found that every 30 seconds a person in Australia is reaching out to Lifeline for help.
To reach out to Lifeline either contact via phone: 13 11 14 or access their website at :lifeline.org.au/
Royal Far West - video counselling services for children under 15 years old and their families
Royal Far West offers health, education and disability services.
The organisation works closely with families, schools, allied health professionals and local communities to connect rural and remote Australian children with the healthcare they need.
To find out more about the services they offer visit their website: royalfarwest.org.au/ or phone: 02 8966 8500
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline has been around for 30 years and offers free confidential online and phone counselling service, 24 hours a day, for youth aged 5 to 25.
The helpline has qualified counsellors that are available via WebChat, phone or email.
To find out more about the service visit www.kidshelpline.com.au or call 1800 551 800.
Suicide Call Back Service
Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Suicide Call Back Service provides phone and online counselling for anyone struggling with their mental health including anxiety, depression, feeling low, stressed or having suicidal thoughts.
Their COVID-19 page online provides many useful tips on working from home and other COVID-related issues, you can read about it at: suicidecallbackservice.org.au/mental-health/?category=covid-19 otherwise call 1300 659 467.
Mensline Australia
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.
They offer help with topics such as addiction, anxiety, separation and divorce as well as dealing with stress.
To find out more visit: https://mensline.org.au or call 1300 789 978
SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national mental health charity that supports people affected by complex mental health issues through support services, research and advocacy.
Sane provides counselling support, peer support, information and stories for people to connect with, blog and writing spaces for people to express themselves and more.
To find out more on what they offer visit their webpage at: sane.org/about-sane or call 1800 18 7263.
On the occasion the service a person has contacted isn't suited to them, most services will help direct them to other support services that are better suited to their needs.
If you or someone else around you is in urgent need of care, don't wait, call Triple-0 (000) for emergencies.
Amandine Ahrens
I've grown up in the Bega Valley and I'm a regional daily news reporter on the Far South Coast of NSW. Got a story? Get in touch: 0436 426 843 or email amandine.ahrens@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I've grown up in the Bega Valley and I'm a regional daily news reporter on the Far South Coast of NSW. Got a story? Get in touch: 0436 426 843 or email amandine.ahrens@austcommunitymedia.com.au
