COVID-19

• VCOSS
• VicHealth

Mental health

It is normal to feel stressed, anxious or concerned during this challenging time. If you need immediate support, you can contact:

 

Beyond Blue p: 1300 224 636 online forum online chat 3pm-mightnight

Lifeline p: 13 11 14, text: 0477 131 114 online chat 7pm-midnight

For more information on other available helplines and specialist services, Mental Health Victoria has compiled this list.

Beyond Blue, Lifeline and Black Dog Institute also have dedicated webpages with resources to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing. For in-language mental health resources and information, please visit Embrace Multicultural Mental Health.

Family violence

We know that home may not be the safest place for everyone right now. If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of family violence, there are specialist support services available, including:

1800RESPECT Counselling Line 24/7 confidential help and referral for sexual assault and family violence. p: 1800 737 732

Safe steps 24/7 confidential counselling and support and state-wide access point for crisis accommodation. p: 1800 015 188

Orange Door North Eastern Region Free service for adults, children and young people experiencing or who have experienced family violence. Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. p: 1800 319 335

Djirra Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experiencing violence. p: 1800 105 303

InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence Specialist family violence service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their families and communities. p: 1800 755 988

WRespect LGBTIQA+ specialist family violence support. p: 1800 542 847

Men’s Referral Service Phone counselling, information and referral service for men, their partners, family and friends. p: 1300 766 491

 

The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria and Domestic Violence Victoria also have information on their websites to support those experiencing family violence, their family and friends, and professionals.

Financial resources

Many people are experiencing increased level of financial stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For information on available financial supports, please visit:

• Services Australia Coronavirus Supplement and If You Need Payment
• The Treasury Jobkeeper Payment

 

If you would like to access financial counselling, please contact:

• National Debt Hotline p: 1800 007 007 (9.30am-4.30pm, Monday-Friday)

For more information on financial supports and resources, WIRE has put together this list.

Legal resources

For information on legal issues related to COVID-19 please visit:

•  Victoria Legal Aid
• Justice Connect

For employment related issues, you can also visit:

• Job Watch
• Fair Work Australia

If you would like to speak to some directly, please contact:

• Victoria Legal Aid p: 1300 792 387 (9am-5pm Mon–Fri)
• Justice Connect p: 03 8636 4400 or apply online

Support for children

For information on how to support children and their families during this time, please visit:

• Australian Catholic University (ACU) Safeguarding Children during COVID-19
• Emerging Minds Supporting children during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Disability Support

If you or someone you care for has an NDIS plan, please visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus

If you work in the disability sector, the Victorian Government has developed a COVID-19 plan for the sector.

Community Health

Most services are still running, either face to face or via telehealth. For more information, please check each organisation’s website:  

• Access Health and Community
• cohealth
• Merri Health
• North Richmond Health and Community

Local Council

• Melbourne City Council
• Moreland City Council
• Mooney Valley City Council
• MVCC Hardship scheme implemented offering a range of relief measures on rates, rents, fees and charges. A specialist customer service team trained and on deck to support community member queries and applications
• Special COVID-19 edition of Valley View magazine arriving in 53,000 homes this week
• Yarra City Council Coronavirus updates

• Yarra City Council support package for local businesses and community

Women’s Health services

• Women’s Health in the North COVID-19 Update from WHIN 22 April
• Women’s Health West services and COVID-19

Housing & Homelessness Support

• Launch Housing Providing phone services and drop-in service with limited capacity in waiting rooms. Service access points

 

• VincentCare Remains open and providing limited face-to-face services.  Available programs and service access points

 

• St Mary’s House of Welcome Reduced opening hours 9.30am-1.30pm. Material aid and support information

Technology support for organisations

Pulse IT Magazine has compiled this list of technological resources available to medical practices, allied health practices, pharmacies, hospitals, aged and community care during the COVID-19 pandemic. For technology resources available to not-for-profits visit Connecting Up

Services responding to women experiencing violence

• AWAVA has compiled a comprehensive list of resources
• AIFS Coronavirus response: Resources for families
• Safe & Together™ Institute COVID-19 Quick Guide (includes a checklist to help with danger assessments)
• Centre for Social Impact Covid-19 factsheets: Homelessness, Loneliness & Social Connection, People with a Disability, Digital Inclusion
• GEN VIC’s COVID-19 eBulletin: Gender, Disaster and Resilience
• TasCoss COVID-19 Preparation and Advice
• The Lookout: COVID-19 and Family Violence FAQs
• Co-parenting in the time of coronavirus: if you and your ex don’t agree, what are your rights?
• On Guard COVID-19 newsletter from the Australian Human Rights Institute
• Disaster Recovery, Planning and Management for Women, their Families, and their Communities in all their Diversity: Joint Position Paper of the National Women’s Alliances March 2020
• Asian Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS) weekly coronavirus webinars and resources for shelters and GBV prevention programs