Wellbeing and disaster recovery hub
These are challenging times, but you don’t have to deal with it all by yourself.
If you need someone to talk to or just want to read up on some resources to help you get into a better headspace, check out the links below.
If you’re thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, get in touch with Lifeline:
Call: 13 11 14 (open 24 hours)
Text: 0477 131 114 (6pm – midnight Sydney time)
Live online chat (7pm – midnight Sydney time)
Talk to someone
No one needs to face their problems alone. If your struggling with your mental health, get in touch with a trained professional from one of the organisations below – they’re here to help.
Offering phone, live chat, email and online forum services for anyone who just wants to talk – no problem is too big or small.
Call: 1300 22 4636
Providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Call: 1300 659 467
Critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance.
TIACS is a free phone and text counselling service offering mental health support to Australia’s blue collar community.
Call or text 0488 846 988 Mon-Fri 8am-10pm AEST
Self help
If you’d prefer to access support online, there’s a whole range of resources and tools out there to help you get back into a positive mindset.
Black Dog Institute
Take a free mental health assessment and after, you’ll receive a personalised report with suggested support services and resources.
Beyond Now
Beyond Blue’s ‘Beyond Now’ is a suicide safety planning app to keep you safe through tough times. Create your personal plan so you’re more prepared if the burden becomes too much.
You Got This Mate
Providing action-focused tips, information and resources to help rural men reach their best possible mental health.
How to support others
If someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or you have noticed they’re not acting themselves? Check out the resources below for help supporting someone who’s doing it tough.
Recognising the signs
Before you attempt to have a conversation with someone about their mental health, it helps to know the symptoms.
How to ask ‘R U Ok?’
R U OK has compiled a quick, simple guide to having the conversation with someone you suspect might be struggling. The Mateship Manual also includes a few simple steps to starting a conversation with a mate you’re worried about.
Supporting someone with a mental health condition
Do you know of someone with a diagnosed mental health condition or have you recognised something isn’t quite right? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you support them.
Coping with natural disasters
Unfortunately, drought, fires and floods have plagued Australian farm businesses for hundreds of years – but that’s not to say they don’t have a significant impact on our mental health. Here are some tips and tools to help you cope with the stress of these natural disasters.
If you’ve recently been affected by floods, take a look at the dedicated mental health and other support services available for flood affected people in your local area.
You can also:
- Access RAMHP’s range of dedicated resources to support flood-affected communities
- View the APS’ tipsheet on mental health after a flood.
- REACH OUT’s Digital Drought Care Package has practical tips, personal stories and links to drought support services to help you cope in a drought.
- RAMHP has a hub of resources available to help producers cope with drought, from podcasts to practical tips on managing stress during drought and more.
- The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) offers a Drought Wellbeing Service providing free counselling and support to people in drought-affected areas.
- The Red Cross is operating a Drought Resilience Program across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and SA to provide hands-on support to communities, and also has a hub of drought support resources available from tipsheets to webinars and more to support drought-affected producers.
- MLA’s bushfire hub has resources to help you prepare for bushfire season, learn what to do during a fire and resources to assist with bushfire recovery.
- Beyond Blue has a hub of resources, useful information, links to support services and stories to help bushfire-affected producers and communities.
- The Red Cross has a bank of tools, webinars, resources and programs to assist before, during and after natural disasters, including bushfires.
Extreme climate events
Lifeline has compiled a toolkit to help you manage the stress of floods and other extreme climate events.
Looking after yourself after a disaster
Some people can develop anxiety or depression after experiencing a traumatic event. Try these tips to help you cope.
Substance abuse support
Recovering from a natural disaster can be overwhelming. If you are concerned about your alcohol or drug consumption, or that of a loved one, help is available.
