Ten go-to mental health organisations for young people

Our guide to mental health support during coronavirus

Author: VicHealth, a Victorian Government Agency that works with experts, evidence and research in health promotion

Any coronavirus information mentioned is accurate at the time this article was first published (22 June 2020). For the most up-to-date information about coronavirus restrictions, please visit the source: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

We know coronavirus is having a huge impact on everyone, but especially young people. From studying online and losing jobs, to pressured relationships – inside and outside the home – the much-loved routines that gave us security and predictability have gone out the window.

It’s completely normal to experience a whole range of feelings and emotions at any time, let alone during a global pandemic.

We want to help you get the support you need to get through this tough time and emerge stronger and more resilient. So, we’ve made a list of ten organisations you can go to for top-notch mental health and wellbeing advice.

Want mental health tips?

We've partnered with Pedestrian TV to share these tips for young people about how to look after you mental health and stay well as coronavirus restrictions gradually begin to ease.

Read the tips Pedestrian TV shared and hungry for more?

Check out our blog Three tips from mental health experts as restrictions ease.

Ten orgs to follow/subscribe to for the mental health and wellbeing advice

Whether you want to learn more about mental health and wellbeing, figure out your relationships, or get immediate help – these organisations can all help.

In alphabetical order:

1. Beyond Blue is one of Australia’s leading mental health organisations and provides valuable information about depression and anxiety.

 beyondblue.org.au

 @beyondblueofficial

2. Black Dog Institute is a mental health research institute dedicated to creating real-world change in the mental health space.

 blackdoginstitute.org.au

 @blackdoginst

3. Gather My Crew is a free, online rostering tool for the family, friends and community members connected to someone who needs support.

 gathermycrew.org.au

 @gathermycrew

4. Head Space is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation. Services can be accessed in 100+ national Headspace centres, online or through clinical programs across the country.

 headspace.org.au

 @headspace_aus

5. Kids Helpline has information and counselling for children, teenagers, young adults, parents and schools.

 kidshelpline.com.au

 @kidshelplineau

6. Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. You can call their 24-hour crisis line 13 11 14 to confidentially chat to trained Telephone Crisis Supporters

 lifeline.org.au

 @lifelineaustralia

7. Orygen works with young people, their families and friends to pioneer new, positive approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental disorders.

 oyh.org.au

 @_orygen

8. ReachOut is an online mental health organisation for young people and their families. 

 au.reachout.com

 @reachout_aus

9. The good the bad and the ugly helps young people work out where their relationship is at – whether it’s good, bad, or ugly.

 lovegoodbadugly.com

10. What’s Okay at Home helps young people experiencing family violence find ways to deal with their feelings and take care of themselves.

 woah.org.au

Who are we and why did we write this blog post?

Here at VicHealth we work with experts (some of them young people), researchers and other organisations to help young people improve their mental wellbeing.

We wrote this blog to help you stay on track with your mental health and wellbeing, because it’s normal to not feel ok sometimes.

Here’s some of our research that specifically looks at issues that might affect your mental wellbeing:

• Loneliness research

• Healthy masculinities for men and boys, including the ‘Man Box’ (see page five of our research here)

• Resilience and social connection.

You’re reading this post on our Be Healthy blog right now, so in future you can come back here for more tips on mental health and wellbeing, as well as broader health advice to help you live a healthy, happy life.

Scroll below to see more blog posts about mental health and wellbeing.

Have a coronavirus question?

For all coronavirus questions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) hotline on 1800 020 080.