Where to get help 2024
Please find details below of supports and services that may assist your family.
Ben Lanyon, Student Wellbeing Officer, is available if you need someone to chat to in confidence, some support, links to services, or not quite sure where to go in relation to a particular concern. Phone: 61423828, email: benjamin.lanyon@ed.act.edu.au
● Onelink When you call OneLink, an intake officer will talk with you about what support you need and help you to link with the best service to support you.
Phone: 1800 176 468
MindMap ACT Youth Portal is a dedicated portal for children and young people (up to 25 years of age) to help navigate Canberra’s mental health system and to find the right service and support. The portal has around 300 online resources relating to mental health and wellbeing, including, understanding mental health challenges, useful strategies, and best practice resources from multiple websites.
● ACT Community Directory helps you find services, community organisations and support groups in the Canberra region.
● ACT Government Assistance - The ACT Government has a range of discounts, rebates and subsidies to make sure support is there when you need it. Explore this site to learn about the ways we can help relieve cost of living pressures in areas like housing, transport, bills and dental care.
● ANU Psychology Clinic - Phone: 6125 8498 - The ANU Psychology Clinic is a training, treatment and research centre offering specialised psychological services to the community. The clinic provides assessment, counselling and therapy for adults and children / adolescents who may be experiencing emotional or behavioural problems including anxiety, fears and phobias, depression, stress, and coping with health conditions.
● Catholic Care has been a leading provider of support services in the following areas:
● NDIS
● Family Support Services and Counselling Services including the Stepping Stones and Next Step programs.
● Youth
● Housing
Phone (02) 6162 6100
● Child and Family Centres provide services for families with young children birth to 8 years. At the Centres they can assist you with information, support and services for all members of your family. The Centres provide a range of universal, targeted and tailored services based on the needs of children and their families, with a strong emphasis on providing outreach services in homes, schools and the community. Phone Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre - (02) 6207 8228
● Child Development Service provides assessment, referral, information and linkages for children 0-6 years where there are concerns relating to their development.
Parents and guardians are welcome to attend a Drop-In Clinic contact Intake on (02) 6207 8884 if they have concerns about their child’s development.
● Domestic Violence Crisis Service helps people build lives free from domestic violence and fear. They are passionate about breaking the domestic violence cycle in the Canberra community. For over thirty years, they have been providing emergency and long-term support, advice, domestic violence resources, Phone: (02) 62 800 900
● Women's Legal Centre- A team of expert lawyers who can provide free legal advice and representation to women in the ACT. Phone: (02) 6257 4377
● Legal Aid- Legal Aid ACT helps people in the ACT with their legal problems, especially people who are socially or economically disadvantaged. We can help in criminal law, family law and some civil law matters. Phone 1300 654 314
● Women's Health Services- The Women’s Health Service offers free services for women, by women. Our services include nursing, medical, nutrition and counselling for vulnerable women in the ACT and region. Phone: (02) 5124 1787
● Everyman- Is an organisation that supports men and is for men. Phone: 6230 6999
● Directions – Provides a range of free services and programs for people impacted by alcohol and other drug use and other complex health issues. Phone 02 6132 4800
● Relationships Australia- Relationship counselling and mediation services. Phone: 1300 364 277
● Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)- provide assessment and treatment for children and young people up to 18 years of age, who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Phone (02) 5124 3133.
● MARSS- Migrant and Refugee Settlement Service is an organisation that provides settlement Services to migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants and asylum seekers in the ACT and surrounding regions. Phone: (02) 6248 8577
● Find a Health Service is an ACT Government site to assist in finding an appropriate service and support.
● Foodbbank outlets in the ACT region - low cost food outlets, such as food co-ops/pantries, are for those finding it difficult to balance their budgets and those with a genuine financial need.
● Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation works with its clients through a range of programs that go well beyond the services provided by most youth centres. Some of the programs include a Music Program, Community Arts Program, Tutoring Program, School Holiday Program, Parenting Our Way Program….. Phone: 62968900
● Health Direct offers 24/7 Access to trusted health information and advice phone: 1800 022 222
● Marymead empowers children, young people and families to thrive. Some of Marymead services include Family and Relationships; Mental Health Support, Foster Care, Accommodation Support, Autism Centre, Disability Support…. Phone: 1800 427 920
● Maternal and Child Health (MACH) families can make an appointment to see the MACH nurse onsite at NECS every Monday and Thursday. MACH nurses provide child health checks and information, support and advice relevant to caring for your child (0-5 years). To use their services or make a booking, please call the Central Health Intake (CHI) team on 02 5124 9977 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday and 8:00 am or 3:30 pm on Wednesdays.
● Parentline (Mon – Fri 9am -5pm) free telephone counselling service - 02 6287 3833
● Psychology Clinic - University of Canberra - The psychology clinic is a training clinic for Psychology Clinical Masters students under the supervision of fully qualified Clinical staff. The UC Psychology Clinic has expertise in management of childhood and adolescent, (aged 7- 16) and adult (17 +), presentations of low mood (depression), obsessive-compulsive behaviour, general anxiety, social anxiety, life changes such as parental separation or changing family dynamics, lack of motivation, sleep issues, adjustment concerns and various other presenting problems.
To make an appointment call (02) 6201 5843
● Salvation Army ACT - If you find yourself in a sudden crisis, call the Salvation Army. They will listen and support you with immediate basic needs. Call our emergency relief team on 1300 371 288. We’ll listen to the issues you’re facing and direct you to your nearest Salvos Connect community centre. For general enquiries, call us on 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).
St John's Care - financial hardship can strike anyone — an unexpected crisis, the loss of a job, health problems, family breakdown and a number of other reasons. We provide emergency assistance in the form of food, fresh fruit and vegetables. We also provide some clothing and bedding, prescription filling, bus fares and a limited amount of financial help to meet the basic requirements of people in need. Phone: (02) 62487771
● St Vincent de Paul provides direct assistance which is carried out by volunteer members. Members visit people in their homes and try to find the most appropriate response to the needs of individuals and families. This may involve having a friendly chat or it might involve providing information, advocacy, food or food vouchers, clothing, furniture, budget support, assistance with utility bills or back to school costs. For Direct Assistance, please contact Phone: (02) 6282 2722
● Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service (AHS)The holistic health care provided by Winnunga Nimmityjah AHS includes not only medical care, but a range of programs to promote good health and healthy lifestyles. Phone: (02) 6284 6222
● If you need emergency assistance or feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000. To talk to someone now, please call the Mental Health Crisis Service (ACT Only) on 1800 629 354; Lifeline on 13 11 14; The National Suicide Call back service 1300-659467 or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
Useful websites:
● Raising Children Network the Australian parenting website: comprehensive, practical, expert child health and parenting information and activities covering children aged 0-15 years.
● Child and Youth Health website, where you’ll find a wealth of news and practical health information for parents, carers and young people.