Mental health and wellbeing through COVID-19

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Mental health and wellbeing through COVID-19

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Working within the primary health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging. It is important for health care providers and staff to monitor and look after their own mental health and wellbeing, as well as that of their patients.

Mental health support lines 

If you or someone you know is in need of urgent support, the following services may be able to assist. 

Triple Zero: 000 

Lifeline: 13 11 14 

Lifeline Text: 0477 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 

Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service: 1800 512 348 

Mensline: 1300 78 99 78

Womensline:  1800 811 811

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS): 1800 177 833 

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 

eHeadspace: 1800 650 890 

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Open Arms – Veteran Family and Counselling: 1800 011 046 

1300 MH CALL:1300 64 22 55 

Counselling support available for primary health professionals 

Brisbane South PHN has extended its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all primary health professionals and staff to support their wellbeing during the stresses of COVID-19. The EAP provides a high-quality, short-term, professional counselling service to assist with personal and work-related issues. 

The program is available to all staff working in community pharmacy, general practices, Aboriginal Medical Services and private allied health practices in the Brisbane south region. The program is confidential and no identifying information is reported back to Brisbane South PHN. 

To access this support, call 1800 818 728, state that you are calling for the Brisbane South PHN EAP and identify yourself as ‘primary care’ staff. Consultations can also be booked via accesseap.com.au.

For more information, watch the COVID-19 Conversation on mental health and wellbeing for primary health professionals, or download this poster for your practice.

Coronavirus mental wellbeing support service 

The Beyond Blue website is regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic. This may be useful to yourself, work colleagues, friends, family and patients. Information is provided in a variety of languages.

Their service includes 24/7 phone and web chat support, an online community forum and information on a range of topics including managing financial stress, managing anxiety and supporting children.

Phone the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 512 348.

Mental health and wellbeing services for First Nations peoples

Visit our First Nations Health Focus web directory to find culturally safe counselling and psychology services for First Nations patients near you. Visit firstnationshealthfocus.org.au

Multicultural Connect Line

The Multicultural Connect Line provides support and information to find aid, assistance and mental health services in other languages. It is a Queensland-wide service for people from multicultural backgrounds whose lives have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Referring patients to access mental health services 

The mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug treatment needs of people across the Brisbane South PHN region are diverse. To access services, GPs can contact the Brisbane South PHN Mental Health Referral Service (operated by Wesley Mission Queensland) on 07 3151 3841  Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, to discuss a patient’s condition and determine an appropriate course of action, or they can refer directly to PHN service providers. Referral information is available on SpotOnHealth HealthPathways.

For more information visit the Mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and other drugs webpage.

Find out more about mental health care coordination on SpotOnHealth HealthPathways.

If you are a clinician working in the Brisbane south, Redlands, Logan or Scenic Rim catchments, request the SpotOnHealth HealthPathways username and password by calling 07 3156 4346 (Monday to Friday) or request online.