Mental health and wellbeing through COVID-19
On this page:
- Mental health support lines
- Counselling support available for primary health professionals
- Coronavirus mental wellbeing support service
- Mental health and wellbeing services for First Nations peoples
- Multicultural Connect Line
- Referring patients to access mental health services
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.